Folk Lore and Genealogies of Uppermost Nithsdale

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I

li^lff^/^-i

l^arijarD CflUegc librarg

FROM THE FUND OF

FREDERICK ATHEARN LANE

OF NEW YORK

(CU>B of ,s«l

/icit /ioc4/m/^^^

'^Ti--

The Author, from Pliobogtnpb by J, M. Lalng. SanqultiLr,

FOLK LORE

AND GENEALOGIES

OF

UPPERMOST NITHSDALE.

By WILLIAM WILSON,
Sanquhar,

With Portrait of tko Attthor and IUuttration$
Bt Wm. Wiuok, JumoB.

DUMFRIES

RoBRBT G. Manv, Courier and Herald Fren.

SANQUHAR : J. M. Laiho.
1904.

Bt- "^^is-.is"

^

PREFACE.

Thb following sketches, traditionB, and reminiacenoeB of
by-gone days were penned originally for the local press
— some of them as far back as twenty years ago — solely
with a view to rescue from oblivion much that is curious
and interesting, and known only to us of the older
generation.

Several of the sketches were, at the time of their
first appearance, reprinted in papers both at home and
in the Colonies, and since then have been copied into
other publications; and frequently a desire has been
expressed for their issue in book form.

In deference to this request the book is now put forth.

The author is pleased to think that the pictures —
reproductions of pen-and-ink drawings by one of his
sons — ^will prove especially acceptable — the more so as
some of the scenes depicted present views not now to
be obtained.

The Genealogies, which form the second part of the
work, are compiled from reliable sources; these, he
believes, will prove highly interesting to local
antiquaries.

In the earnest hope that the book may afford the
reader as much pleasure as it has given the author in
its production, it is now placed m the hands of an
indulgent public.

Wn.LiAM Wilson.

47 High Street,
Sanquhab, September, 190^.

Bebicateb bv permi99ion

to

tU.f tU., tit*,

SV bie 1>um[>le Servant,

tPiUiam tPUson.

CONTENTS.

Page

Sanquhar Council House — Some Queer Stories of

the Old Tolbooth 1

The Town Pipers of Sanquhar ... - 9

Crawick Mill Witches — Some of their cantrips 15

Abraham Crichton's Ghost — Cringan and the

Cuddy 31

Apparitions near Sanquhar Manse - - - 37

Sanquhar Castle Spectre 41

The Ghost House 47

The Dreary Lady of the Linn — Strange Stories of

the Orchard Burn 51

Apparitions in Euchan — " The Bottle Blower '' - 59

The Ghost of Littlemark 65

The Ghost of Lady Hebron . - - - 69

Weird Stories of the Bank Wood, Kirkconnel. —

Fairies of Polveoch 73

Wraiths 77

Lagminnan's Wake 83

Willie Dalzell, the Sanquhar Munchausen. — Some

of his wonderful exploits - - - - 87

Doctor Alison and his Wife Meg. — A curious

couple 93

Evil Spirits at the Warld's En' - - - 97

The Resurrectionist Scare in Sanquhar. — The

Skipper and the Plaister .... 103

Ben and his Weddings 109

Pat M'Cririck of the Cairn 117

The Covenanter's Ban 123

Bryce's Loup. — An incident of the '45 - 127

OOMTBHTB.

Page.
Provost Whigham. — How he outwitted the Meal

Merchant 183

A Gallant Son of Nithsdale — Major William

Johnston of the Rifle Brigade 141

Olden Hospitality in Nithsdale * 149

Genealogies of Uppermost Nithsdale - 166

Crichtons, Lords of Sanquhar - 161

Crichtons of Ryehill 173

Crichtons of Carco 186

Crichtons of Gairland 191

Crichtons of JJhry 196

Crichtons of Eliock 197

Daladels of Eliock 202

Veitch of Eliock 206

McCriricks of McCririck's Cairn 213

Williamsons of Castle Rohert - - - - 227

McMaths of Dalpeddar 231

Hairs of Glenwharry 236

McCalls of Guffockland 243

Wilsons of Spango - 246

Bannatynes of Glenmaddy 246

Kyles of Corseneuk 246

Arms of the Royal Burgh of Sanquhar 247

Riding the Sanquhar Marches - . . - 247

Choosing Site for Kirkconnel Church - 248

Welcome to Lord Sanquhar .... 248

Appointment of Clerk to Sanquhar Parish Church 260

Wilsons of Polquhirter and Jenkins of Nivinston 261

Wilsons of Wanlockhead 252

Blackaddie 263

Grant to James McRerik by King James VI. - 263

The Inventor of the Steam Propeller - 264

ILLUSTRATIONS.

/

pobtbait of the authob
Sakquhar Council House
Cbawigk Bridge
Sanquhar Parish Churoh
Sanquhar Castle

EucHAN Bridge

j

EucHAN Mill

NiTH Bridge...

Pamphy Linns

Tower of Sanquhar Kirk

I

Drumbringan Bridge

Eliock House

Page 1

17

33

41

59

65

81

97

104

129

161

i Council House.

SANQUHAR COUNCIL HOUSE.

SOME QUEER STORIES OF THE OLD

TOLBOOTH.

The old Council House of Sanquhar with its
imposing stairway, its tower and clock, is the object
that most attracts the attention of strangers on their
first making acquaintance with the ancient royal
burgh. It is a good specimen of the Scottish town-
house and tolbooth of bygone days, and from its post
at the head of the High Street has, for close upon
one hundred and seventy years, kept watch, as it
were, over the affairs of the town. Round it cluster
much that goeth to the making of local history; it is
the very core of municipal life; the scene of many a
bitter contention for power, of angry disputations, of
uproarious elections, as well as of harmless meny-
makings and tumultuous festivities on days of
national rejoicing.

It was built in the year 1735, and occupies the site

of an older building devoted to similar public uses.

Regarding the older tolbooth, not much is known

beyond the fact that for years before it was removed

to make room for the present Council House it was

1

in a ruinous condition. Application for assistance in
putting it into proper repair was made to the Royal
Convention of Burghs in 1682; and in a curious book
entitled *' Northern Memoirs," by Richard Franck,
published in London in 1694, is a reference to the
tolbooth, which shows that repairs were badly needed
indeed. Franck, who had stayed one night in
Sanquhar, says : " There is a kind of thing they call
a Tolbooth, which at first might be suspected a
prison, because it is so like one; whose decays by the
law of antiquity are such, that every prisoner is
threatened with death before his trial; and every
casement, because bound about with iron bars, dis-
covers the entertainment destined only to felons."
This old building, destitute of any ornamentation, was
two stories high, and thatched with heather. The
present Council House was, as I have said, erected in
1735, and is built principally of stones taken from
Sanquhar Castle, then being dismantled by the Duke
of Queensberry. The architect was William Adams
of Edinburgh, and the builder George Laurie, at that
time Deacon of the Sanquhar Incorporation of
Squaremen (i.e., masons and wrights). It is a stately
old edifice, and of great strength. The outside stair
leads to the Council Chambers and Court-room;
beneath are the old prison cells, and, on the south side
a room long used as a school, all the lower portion now
being used as storerooms. A room over the Council
chamber, access to which is gained from the clock
tower, was used for the imprisonment of debtors.
All are strongly built, the cells on the ground floor
having arched ashlar vaults, windows secured with
strong iron bars, doors made of heavy oaken board,
lined with iron and thickly studded with large round-

headed nails. Three of the cells are fitted with fire-
places — the debtors' room, and the inner cells under
the Court-room; but in the "Thief's Hole"— the
name given to the double cell on the ground floor
beneath the tower, no such comfort was provided. A
cold, miserable place it must have been, and it was
only used for prisoners incarcerated for grave offences.
Happily the accommodation thus provided for evil-
doers was at no time found insufficient; indeed, to-
wards the close of the eighteenth century, during one
of the oft-recurring times of scarcity, two cells were
fitted up as a meal-market for the supply of oat-meal
at a cheap rate to the townspeople, many of whom
were at times in a state bordering on starvation. It
is over sixty years since the old prison was used as a
place of detention, misdoers being now sent to the
county prison in Dumfries. Some twenty years ago
when some alterations were being made at the police
lock-up, the "Thief's Hole" was temporarily fitted
up for the accommodation of culprits; this was the
last occasion on which it did duty as a prison.

Affixed to the wall of the Council House, by the
side of the prison door at the corner facing down the
High Street, is an upright iron bar or staple on which
is a strong iron ring. This is the instrument of
punishment known as the ''jougs;" it bears a close
relation to the English pillory and stocks, and was
used for the punishment of persons found guilty of
petty thefts. An iron chain attached to the ring
encircled the neck of the prisoner, and was securely
locked by a padlock; and the culprit thus fastened
was exposed to the gibes and insults of the populace,
who, if the prisoner happened to have given grave
public offence, not infrequently pelted him with

rotten eggs and other offensive missiles. On occasions
when an offender was punished by public exposure
the sentence of the court was generally so many days
imprisonment, with two hours each day in the
"jougs." It is about seventy years since this form
of punishment was last enforced. A more degrading
punishment than the " jougs " at that time was meted
out to female offenders. Not so long ago there were
to the fore many persons who could remember seeing
a fine-looking young woman, who had been found
guilty of some petty theft, taken out of the prison
with a rope round her neck, the end of which was
held by the jailor, and, with a paper pinned on her
back stating ''This is a thief," led through the whole
length of the burgh and back again. A man beating
a drum followed behind her to draw the attention of
the townsfolk; and in this fashion she was banished
furth the place. This took place at ten o'clock on a
cold winter morning, somewhere in the early twenties
of last century. The yearly bonspiel between
Sanquhar and Kirkconnel was being played that day
at Sanquhar, and as the Kirkconnel curlers came
down for the game they arrived at the Council House
just as the young woman was being led out.

Strong as the old prison is, and to all appearance
impossible for any one to get out who was once
secured within its walls, yet at different times
prisoners made good their escape; and one of these
was a woman — Kirsty M'Lean, a vagrant randy who
went about the countryside hawking. She slept in
the farm out-houses, and visited this part of the
country for many a day, being well-known all over
Upper Nithsdale eighty years ago.

At the time of my story she was lodging at " The

Hole," a farm near Leadhills, where she had lodged
often before, and was well acquainted with every
nook and corner of the house, and among other things
learned where the gudeman kept his money. Kirsty
succeeded in laying hold of it, and made off before
the family was astir. The sum stolen was something
over £100, and tJie loss was at once discovered, and a
hue-and-cry raised immediately. Kirsty McLean was
suspected, and chase being made, she was apprehended
and lodged in Sanquhar tolbooth to await her trial.
In those days had she been found guilty, hanging was
the punishment for crimes of this description. But
Kirsty had no liking for the hanging business, and so
she set her brains to work to regain her liberty. It
was physically impossible for her to break out of the
" Thief's Hole," where she was confined. But, where
strength fails, stratagem often succeeds. After she
had been confined for a week she feigned sickness, and
one evening persuaded Robert Dargavel, the jailor,
to let the door between the day cell and the sleeping
cell be left open, saying she might have occasion to go
into the former before morning. Robert, to accom-
modate her, did not lock her into the sleeping cell
that night, so she had the run of both places, and
making the outside door all secure for the night, he
left her. Next morning Dargavel came at the usual
hour to give Kirsty her breakfast. Opening the
outer door, he saw that the door of the inner cell was
closed, and, concluding that his charge was still
asleep, he left the key in the outside lock, and went
forward with the intention of wakening her. He
no sooner did so than Kirsty, who was standing
behind the outer door, rushed out, and before he could
get to her she had drawn to the door, and turned the

key — in fact she changed places with her jailor.
Dargavel was fairly trapped. Kirsty, slipping the
key in her pocket, watched her opportunity, and
made off. If any outsiders saw her they said nothing
about it. Robert was kept a prisoner in his own
jail for some hours. Meanwhile his wife, wondering
what had become of him, left her home to seek him.
She found him in the predicament I have described.
"Sirs,'* she exclaimed to some bystanders, "Robert's
here, but Kirsty 's awa\'' A locksmith had to be
brought before he could be set at liberty. As for
Eirsty, no one could tell anything about her; search
was made in every direction, but she could not be
found. No doubt she had been concealed by some
kind-hearted person who did not wish to have her
hanged, as doubtless she would have been had she
been brought to trial. After an elapse of ten or a
dozen years, when the person she robbed and the
principal witnesses were dead, she came her rounds as
formerly; and I have heard it from those who knew
her that she used often to entertain the Sanquhar
folks with the story of how she tricked the jailor.
The minutes of the Town Council show that " for his
gross fault and neglect " in allowing Kirsty to escape,
Robert Dargavel was dismissed by the magistrates
from his post of town officer and jailor. Shortly
afterwards, however, he was reinstated. He died in
1826, having been town officer for twenty-eight years.
I have mentioned that there was a ffre-place in the
inner cell under the court-room; and, in cold weather,
prisoners were allowed a fire. On one occasion, a
little over sixty years ago, this nearly led to a fatal
result. Henry Wright stole some percussion caps
from Mr Halliday's shop, and was committed to jail,

and, the weather being cold, a fire was put in for him.
He was locked up in that cell the window of which
looks on the stairway. By some means or other the
straw of the bed caught fire, and the place quickly
filling with smoke, Henry was in danger of being
suffocated. He held his face out between the bars of
the window to get fresh air, and his shouts speedily
drew people to his assistance, who threw pails of water
into the cell to quench the fire. But there was no
fear of Henry burning; there was scarcely anything to
bum beside the straw. However, to make assurance
doubly sure his friends outside dashed plenty of water
on him, so that if he ran no great risk of being burned
he certainly had a narrow escape of being drowned.
All the time Henry was in this woful plight, the
jailor was away doing something on the Moor, and
had the key of the prison in his pocket. When
Henry's trial came on he got off lightly on account of
the fright he had. Henry led a vagabond life all his
days, and caused much expense and annoyance to the
parochial authorities. He died in Dumfries Asylum
in 1888.

A ludicrous story is told of the debtor's prison, the
cell under the roof, off the tower. William Stitt, the
beadle of Durisdeer, was unfortunate enough to get
into the debt of an unmerciful creditor, and this led
to his confinement in Sanquhar jail. The debtor's
room is not at all an uncomfortable place itself, but
the bedclothes allowed by the authorities were neither
good nor many, and it being in the dead of winter,
and a hard frost on the ground. Will ran a pretty fair
chance of being starved. But before he entirely
succumbed he thought he would make an attempt to
secure more comforts if he were to remain where he

8

was. And so he did; for he managed one night to
force his way through the sky-light window in the
roof, and, descending to the street by means of an old
smithy which at that time, and for many years after,
stood close to the wall at the back of the Council
House, he went to his mother in Durisdeer and got
some blankets from her ; he returned to Sanquhar, and
when the jailor came in the morning he found Will
waiting for admission with a bundle of blankets on his
back. "The nichts were gie cauld,*' he said, "an' he
thocht he wad be daein' nae harm, an' never be missed
sud he step awa' hame for some claes to keep him
warm." This escapade of Will Stitt was the means
of effecting his liberty, for his creditor getting word
of the exploit, refused further to aliment him, and
thus he was set free.

These are a few of the many stories connected with
the Council House. The grim old building still keeps
ward on its ancient site, the most prominent and
characteristic feature of the town ; morn and night,
now as it did a hundred and seventy years ago, its
warning bell tells of the flight of time; it has been a
cherished landmark to successive generations, and is
endeared to Sanquhar's sons and daughters wherever
they are found.

THE TOWN PIPERS OF SANQUHAR.

In days bygone the Town Piper was a common
appurtenance of many of the Scottish burghs. His
office was looked upon as one of the necessary adjuncts
of municipal government, and, in his way, the piper
was a person of considerable importance. The Royal
Burgh of Sanquhar, up till the latter portion of the
eighteenth century, continued to have its town piper.
His principal duty was to perambulate the burgh
every week-day morning at six o'clock, and in the
evening at seven. His services were in request on
all occasions of public rejoicing, and indeed no festiv-
ities were reckoned complete unless set off by the
exercise of the piper's talents. He was assigned a
livery and a small salary out of the public funds, and
enjoyed certain privileges, the chief of which was his
right to solicit the goodwill of the townspeople, each
householder feeling bound to pay him some small sum
yearly according to means. At births, christenings,
and marriages the piper was always to the fore, and
he was a welcome guest at many of the farmhouses,
supplying music for the "kirn" and other merry-
makings, and frequently enlivening the shearers in
the harvest field. The piper's daily march through
Sanquhar extended from " the Gallows Knowe to the

10

Piper's Thorn,** and was so well known to all that to
this day the phrase is sometimes used to denote the
full length of the town, or as a convenient comparison
when talking of distances. The Gallows Knowe,
name grimly reminiscent of the days when the last
penalty of the law was exacted there, is the "knowe "
cut through by the county road near the entrance to
Newark, a short distance below the Castle. The
"Piper's Thorn*' was a hawthorn tree which grew at
the roadside near the west corner of the Square at the
top of the " wee brae." Under the shade of the
thorn was a large stone forming a convenient seat, and
here the piper was accustomed to rest and recover his
breath after playing through the town. The cheerful
skirl of the pipes sounding up the street helped to
brighten and gladden the homes of the burghers, and
looking back upon those old days, no more picturesque
figure appears than that of the burgh piper as with
stately step and ribbons streaming in the wind he
made his daily march through the town.

Pipers are proverbially thirsty souls; and the
Sanquhar minstrels were no exception. Their oppor-
tunities for indulging were many, and in those days
when mirth and whisky were almost synonymous
terms, it is little to be wondered at that they should
only too frequently degenerate into confirmed topers.
His fondness for a dram led to the death of one of
the Sanquhar pipers. It occurred during the days of
the Covenanters. The piper had been at some jolli-
fication at a distant farmhouse. His way home led
him through the Sanquhar Moor. He was very much
under the influence of drink, and on nearing the Black
Loch he stumbled and fell. A company of soldiers
happened to be on the Moor at the time in pursuit of

11

a Covenanter who was known to be in hiding in the
moss hags. They mistook the piper for the fugitive,
and thinking when he fell that he was trying to hide,
fired. The shot took fatal effect, the poor piper dying
on the spot. Great was the sorrow of the soldiers
when they discovered what they had done, for the
piper was a general favourite, and had skirled through
the burgh for many years. His body was carried
down to the town, and in order to show their respect
for an old friend, the whole of the soldiers then
garrisoning the Castle followed the corpse to the
grave, the Duke of Queensberry himself being one of
the mourners. A heap of stones was raised by the
soldiers on the spot where the piper fell, and stands
to this day, being known as the "Piper's Cairn."

The dwelling of the pipers was a low thatched house
in the close at the Corsebum. It was known as the
" Piper's Close," but in later days this was changed to
"The Fiddler's Close," after another public minstrel,
James Kerr, who lived there. Fiddler Kerr, by the
way, was the last of the old school of musicians in
Sanquhar. He was no mean player upon the fiddle, and
for many years supplied the music for the dancing at
the majority of the marriages in Sanquhar. It was a
blithe sight to see the " auld fiddler " playing " Woo'd
an' married, an' a' " at the head of a long string of
lads and lasses marching to the Council House or the
Crichton School, where the dancing at weddings
usually took place. Fiddler Kerr was a genial old
soul, and was much esteemed by old and young.
Peace to his manes!

The last of the official pipers of Sanquhar was a
great worthy. He had the misfortune to be married

12

to a termagant of a wife, and the manner of her burial
is a somewhat remarkable, although altogether a dis-
graceful, affair. The piper was a merry, good-natured
soul, fond of a dram, could sing a good song, and tell
a queer story, and was the very life of a convivial
party. At weddings and merry-makings his presence
with his pipes was indispensable, and right well, too,
could he play.

The lasses danced as they were mad
When he blew up his chanter."

Merry and light-hearted, a welcome guest wherever he
went, without a care in the world save one, and that
one was his wife. Solomon says, " A continual drop-
ping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are
alike." In regard to the piper's wife the words of the
wise King were substantially correct. She was a
peevish, discontented person, who was never at rest,
and seemed to take delight in making all unhappy who
were unfortunate enough to get within hearing of her
ill-scraped tongue. For many years the poor piper
lived a wretched life with her, often cursing the day
that he was bound to such a shrew. Death, however,
relieved him of her at last, and came so sudden and
unexpected that the happy event quite overpowered
him. We think he would be ready to exclaim in the
words of Dryden —

" My wife is dead, there let her lie.
She is at rest, and so am I."

His friends and acquaintances went to condole, or
rather to congratulate him; and with drinking and
merriment the time between the death and burial was

13

passed. On the night previous to the day fixed for
the burying an extra lot of liquor was brought in to
properly celebrate the "kistin," and before long the
mirth and fun was at a great height. Some of the
lads had brought their lasses with them, and it was
proposed to have a dance. But the house was small,
and a deal of room was taken up by the coffin. This
obstacle to their enjoyment did not remain long. The
grave was already dug, why not bury the corpse at
once? No sooner said than acted upon, and in the grey
dawn of a summer morning the funeral took place.
The piper, dressed in all the paraphernalia of his
office, took his place at the head of the coffin, and,
followed by the company in pairs, played a merry
quickstep up the street. The sound of the pipes at
such an unearthly hour raised the citizens from their
beds, and as they reached their night-capped heads
out of doors and windows the sight that met their eyes
was one they never forgot. The coffin was carried
shoulder high by four young fellows, and the piper
never stopped his playing until the kirkyard was
reached. After lowering the coffin, he again took up
the pipes, and continued to play until the last spade-
ful of earth had been thrown into the grave. The
company then returned to the Corseburn, and the
scandalous ceremony finished in a drunken debauch.
The piper did not venture into matrimony a second
time, but continued to live alone. He had attained
a great age when he died. A story is told of how
on a wild night in winter the thatch roof of his house
got "tirled" by the violence of the storm. He was
roused by his neighbours, who informed him of the
plight his house was in. "A' weel," he stoically re-
plied, " if the win' has blawn aff the roof, the win'll

u

just hae to blaw't on again/' and turned himself
round for another sleep. He of course meant the wind
of his bagpipes, and that the proceeds of his playing
would pay for the repairing of the roof.

CRAWICK MILL WITCHES.

SOME OF THEIR CANTRIPS.

From the earliest times and in all countries there
has heen a more or less prevalent belief in the exist-
ence of witches, wizards, and sorcerers, uncanny beings
who by entering into a compact with the Evil One, were
supposed to be enabled to alter the course of nature's
laws, and, empowered by Satan, to deal in glamour,
charm and spell, to cast their cantrips to the terror
and hurt of their neighbours, and work all manner of
mischief and wickedness against whoever had been un-
fortunate enough to incur their displeasure The
superstition was not confined to the poor and
ignorant; all classes from the highest to the lowest
in the land accepted the belief; it bore the irrefutable
proof of holy writ, and, on the strength of the text in
Exodus (xxii., 18) — " Thou shalt not suffer a witch to
live," were passed laws that condemned hundreds of
innocent persons to the most horrible tortures, for im-
aginary crimes and the alleged exercise of powers they
never possessed. In Scotland, as elsewhere, the belief
in witches and witchcraft was universal, so much so
that during the reign of Queen Mary nearly every
accident or disease that befell man or beast was
attributed to some old man or woman who had the

16

ill-luck to be suspected of having dealings with the
Devil. Things arrived at such a pitch that in the
year 1563 was passed the following Act : — " The
Estates enact that nae person take upon hand to use
ony manner of witchcrafts, sorcery, or necromancy, nor
give themselves furth to have ony sic craft or know-
ledge thereof; also that nae person seek ony help, re-
sponse, or consultation at ony sic users or abusers of
witchcraft under the pain of death." This, says
Chambers, is the statute under which all the sub-
sequent witch trials took place. That the Act was
rigorously enforced there is no doubt; the Govern-
ment sent out a number of paid officials called witch-
finders, whose duty it was to search out and bring
to trial all persons suspected of dealing in the black
art. This was the cause of many a poor innocent old
creature being accused and brought before the
authorities, when, often without even the form of a
trial, they were condemned to be burned at the stake.
Dumfries had its full share of the anti-witch mania,
and in April of the year 1659 no less than nine
women were on one day burned at the stake at the
execution place of the burgh. It is awful to think of.
Any peculiarity in manner or appearance exhibited by
an old woman was sufficient to brand her as a witch,
and, friendless, and already oppressed by age and
penury, she was further subjected to the inhuman
treatment of her fellow creatures. For over a
century the records of Presbyteries and Kirk-sessions
throughout Scotland are disgraced by reports of trials
for witchcraft, the ecclesiastical courts at that time
being the authority empowered to suppress the so-
called crime. Even so learned a man as the Rev.
Peter Rae, minister of Kirkconnel, author of the

17

History of the '15 Rebellion, was not proof against
the superstitions of his time. Under the belief that a
woman had bewitched him, he had her cut across the
brow in order, as he supposed, to prevent any bad
effects resulting from her spells. The cut across the
brow — "abune the witch's breath" — was done with
a sharp knife, and was called the "witch score." I
have heard it said that at that time the ministers were
paid a sum of money for every witch found in their
parishes. Witches were founa in plenty, and the ex-
ecutioners were kept busy. At length it was thought
that if the ministers were doing their duty there would
be no witches, so the premium was withdrawn, and,
instead, a fine imposed on every clergyman in whose
parish a witch was found. There were fewer trials
after that. The last execution for witchcraft in Scot-
land took place in 1722, when a poor Highland woman
was burned at Domock. But even as late as 1805
the Procurator-Fiscal of Kirkcudbrightshire thought
himself bound to prosecute a woman for witchcraft.
She was sentenced to be imprisoned for a year, and
once in every quarter, on a Market Day, to stand
openly for an hour in the '' jougs " at the market cross
of Kirkcudbright. This is believed to be the latest
instance of judicial punishment inflicted for witchcraft.
Happily we live in better times. The age of educa-
tion and reason has penetrated the caverns of ignor-
ance, dispelling all such superstitions as then pre-
vailed, and enlightening the credulous and unin-
formed

The village of Crawick Mill, near Sanquhar, was a
noted place for witches, and appears to have been a
sort of headquarters for the sisterhood. Their doings
and ongoings have been talked of far and near, and

2

18

many a tale is told of revels at the " Witches' Stairs "
— a huge rock among the picturesque linns of Crawick
where, in company of other kindred spirits gathered
from all parts of the country, they planned their deeds
of evil, and cast their cantrips to the hurt of those who
had come under their displeasure. In many different
ways were these inflicted. Sometimes the farmer's
best cow would lose its milk; a mare would miss foal;
or the churn would be spellbound, and the dairymaid
migh chum and chum, and churn again, but no butter
would come. No class of people was safe; the
malignant power of the witches reached all classes of
society; and even the minister's churn on one occasion
would yield no butter. Everything had been tried
without effect. The Manse of Sanquhar at that time
was situated close to the river on the site now occupied
by the farmhouse of Blackaddie, and the good man
told the servant girl to carry the churn to the other
side of Nith, thinking that the crossing of a running
stream would break the spell. But it was to no pur-
pose; neither was the rowan tree branch that was
fixed in the byre, nor the horseshoe nailed behind the
door. . The power of the witch was too strong for the
minister: but his wife was more successful; she made
up a nice roll of butter, part of a former churning,
and, with a pitcher of milk sent it as a present to the
beldam at Crawick Mill, who was thought to have
wrought the mischief. The gift was thankfully re-
ceived, and the chum did well ever after.

Robert Stitt, honest man, was the miller at
Crawick Mill, and well respected by everybody; one
day, however, he refused one of the Crawick witches
a peck of meal; she was enraged at the refusal, and
told him " he would rue that ere mony days passed."

19

About a week afterwards on a dark night, Crawick
was rolling in full flood; the miller went to put down the
sluice, missed his footing, fell into the water, and was
carried off by the torrent, and drowned. A young
man going a journey started early in the morning,
and, shortly after he set out, met one of the witches,
when some words passed between them. She said to
him, " Te're gaun briskly awa', my lad, but ye'll
come ridin' hame the nicht." The poor fellow got
his leg broken that day, and was brought home in a
cart as the witch predicted. An old woman named
Nannie is said to have been the last of the uncanny
crew that dwelt on the banks of the Crawick. She
appears to have been a person superior in intelligence
and forethought to Her neighbours; she knew that she
was considered a witch, and she rather encouraged the
idea; it kept her neighbours in awe, and also helped
her to get a living — many a present she got from the
ignorant and superstitious to secure themselves from
her spells. I remember hearing the foUowing story
told of her: — One fine day in summer she was standing
at her door smoking her pipe and enjoying the
pleasant prospect before her, when Jock, ** a deil of an
ill callan," and leader in all the mischievous pranks
in the village, came briskly by; running up to her he
snatched the pipe out of her mouth, and threw it to
the ground, at the same time telling her that " witches
had nae richt to smoke." Nannie replied, " Od,
Jock, ye'll sodger yet," and seemed rather pleased
than otherwise at the lad's daring, all the other boys
being quiet and subdued when near her. Nannie's
words came true; Jock did sodger, and fell fighting for
his country in the French wars.

One thing that has surprised me about the Crawick

20

Mill witches is that I have never heard of any of them
being brought up for their cantrips, when
so many were put to death in other parts
of the country. It may have been that the

witches of Crawick Mill were too cute for the witch-
finders, having a handy habit of transforming them-
selves into cats, dogs, and hares, and taking to the
fields when danger was near. Here is an instance. A
man going through the fields one day with his gun in
search of game, saw a hare run past him; he fired, and
hit it just as it entered a wood, the shot making the
fur fly from its hips. He followed up, expecting to
find the dead hare, but could see no trace of it; in-
stead, he saw behind a bush one of the Crawick Mill
witches sitting picking shot from her person! I was
told this over fifty years ago, and I have no hesita-
tion in saying that the person who told me thoroughly
believed it.

It appears that the witches interested themselves
in curling matters, and lent a helping hand to those
whom they wished to succeed. As far back as a
hundred and fifty years ago the curlers of Crawford-
john were in the habit of playing a game annually
with the curlers of Sanquhar. At the time of my
story the Crawfordjohn curlers had been unsuccessful
for a year or two, and, according to custom, had to
come to Sanquhar to play. They had to leave home
at an early hour to be in time for the day's spprt, and
arrived at Crawick Bridge in the grey light of the
winter morning. As the first of their party was
crossing the bridge, a hare ran past them, and this
was at once looked upon as a bad omen, one of the
party exclaiming — " Od, men, we'll lose the day ; see
thae infernal witches are at their pranks again."

21

And lose they did, sure enough. It was remarked
that the three best rinks from Crawfordjohn played
each in turn against Laird Hair, and each of them had
eight shots before the Laird counted, yet in each case
the Laird won. At that time three nine shot games
were played each day, changing rinks every game. In
the following year as the Crawfordjohn men were
coming down Crawick, all determined to do their best,
and no doubt feeling anxious as to the result of the
day's play, who should they meet but one of the
Crawick Mill witches ! This was an opportunity
that they determined to make the most of. Mindful
of the loss they supposed the witches to have caused
them to suffer the previous year, they at once sur-
rounded her, and compelled her to spit on each of
their broom besoms as a protection against any spell
that might be wrought against them. The protection
thus given was complete; that day the Crawfordjohn
men were victorious, and in the following winter, on
the 24th January, 1776, the Sanquhar curlers had to
tramp to Crawfordjohn, each man carrying his curling
stones on his back tied in his plaid. The contest was
on Duneaton water. Sanquhar men were the victors,
and the event, at the time, was celebrated in song by
Mr Wilson, the schoolmaster. Having a copy of the
verses in my possession, I give them here, as they will
doubtless prove interesting to curlers: —

When winter's frost with nipping cold

Had hardened all the plains^
And seaSj and lakes^ and rivers lay

Bound up in icy chains^

The curlers keen, with glowing hearts.

Prepared their warlike arms.
As fields of glory everywhere

Displayed their glittering charms.

22

The Sanquhar sons for ages past

Unequalled stood in fame>
And all the frozen north confessed

The honour of their name.

John Crawford long had envied thenu

And now resolved to try
His last efforts, and victory gain.

Or on the spot to die.

Among the hills, Duneaton's streams

In mild meanders play.
There hoth the numerous armies met

In hattle's dread array.

When Sanquhar ffallant youths heheld

The sparkling glassy field.
With love of glory fired, they cried,

"We'll die, but never yield."

No battle e'er was stoutlier fought

Nor e'er a bloodier fray,
John Crawford did what man could do.

But sadly lost the day.

This was among the last games between the two
parishes. No doubt the curlers of Crawfordjohn would
see the futility of trying to beat the men from
Sanquhar, who were backed by witchcraft.

Old Mr M'Michael, of the Gavels, was terribly
annoyed by fairies and witches, who brought him
much harm. One fine summer night he went up the
cleugh to pray, as was his custom, and as he drew
near the scene of his devotions he saw, on the green
sward beneath an old oak tree, a great number of
fairies dancing in a ring, accompanied with fine music;
they were all dressed in green with red caps, and each
one looked like a little prince or princess. He re-
turned in great haste to the house, and told the other
members of the family to come and see the grand
sight; but on returning to the place, the whole had
disappeared. One time his whole milk went wrong,

23

and no one was able to tell the cauae. At last it was
settled that witchcraft was the cause of the mischief,
but in spite of all the noetnims and charms used, the
spell remained unbroken. The gudeman, driven to
his wits' end, set off to the minister, and laid his case
before him, telling him who among the Crawick Mill
witches he suspected. The minister having heard his
story gave him the following instructions: — First, he
was to go home and take all the milk that was in the
house, and having made sure that none was left, put
it into a large pot and set it on the fire; he had also
to see that all his milk dishes were thoroughly
cleansed in hot water. Next, a man had to set off on
horseback to the house where the suspected witch
lived, and take a divot from any part of the roof ex-
cept the east comer; this done, to gallop back as
quickly as possible and put the horse in the stable.
Into the divot taken from the witch's house a pin
was to be stuck for every cow that M'Michael
possessed, and then put into the pot of milk boiling on
the fire. Another divot was to be placed on the top
of the chimney, the windows all screened, and the door
locked. The entire household was to remain indoors
with the exception of a boy, who was to watch without
for the coming of the witch, as come she would, and
in great torture, because for every bubble made by the
boiling milk she would feel as if a pin were run
into her. On no account, however, was she to be let
into the house unless she repeated the Lord's Prayer
correctly. If she did so the spell would be broken,
and cows and milk would all be made right, and she
herself freed from her torture. These instructions
were fully carried out, and a sharp boy, named James
Halliday, was sent to the knowe top, a short . distance

24

from the house, to watch the coming of the witch.
He had not long to wait, for in a short time he saw
the beldam coming the nearest way from Crawick Mill,
and running at the top of her speed. He at once ran
back to the house where the inmates were anxiously
awaiting the witch's arrival. She was soon at the
door, and, evidently in great distress, cried to be let
in, when she was informed that admittance could only
be obtained after she had correctly repeated the Lord's
Prayer. This at first she refused to do, but finding
all efforts for admission fruitless she made an attempt
at the prayer, and began by saying, " Oor taither
which wart in heeven," and continued the words in
this style; but she was plainly told that unless she
repeated the words correctly and in a becoming
manner she would not get into the house. All this
time the milk was boiling on the kitchen fire, and the
witch, appeared to be suffering acutely. At last
unable to hold out any longer, she repeated the prayer
in a becoming fashion, and was accordingly allowed to
enter. She immediately ran to the fire, and took off
the pot, when the spell was broken; the witch got
immediate relief from her pains; the cows and milk
did well ever after, and M'Michael was never troubled
with witches again.

The gudeman of Ulzieside was known to be a man
who had the fear of God about him, and was often
sore beset by the Evil One and his auxiliaries. It was
his custom every evening to retire to a quiet place near
the Tansey Well for meditation and prayer. One
calm, dark night, about the end of the harvest season,
he was at his devotions when Satan went past him play-
ing on the bagpipes, and followed by a large number
of witches and warlocks linked together, two and two.

25

like a penny wedding party. The gudeman was sore
afraid, but put himself under the protection of Him
who has the care and keeping of us all. No sooner
did the great name pass his lips that the weird com-
pany went off in flashes of Are, like forked lightning,
darting in every direction, and making the glens of
Euchan ring with their eldritch yells.

In the summer of the year 1832, memorable by the
passing of the Reform Bill, when '' Peace, Retrench-
ment, and Reform " were the principal topics of the
day, and meetings and demonstrations were being held
all over the country, a grand demonstration took place
in Sanquhar. For the auspicious event the town was
decorated with strings of flowers and evergreens, and
several triumphal arches were thrown over the High
Street. Although there was a good instrumental band
in the burgh, several bands had been engaged from
other places, so that there would be no lack of melody
to enliven the proceedings. Among the bands present
on that notable occasion was one from Leadhills. The
players made the journey on foot, and started early,
so as to reach Sanquhar in time for the beginning of
the rejoicings. They had reached Ryehill, and were
jogging quietly along, when a hare came up behind,
and ran through the midst of them. Some of the
men gave chase, but puss got clear, and ran up the
road before them. Into the town she went^ and got
into the High Street just as the finishing touches were
being made to the decorations. Several people tried
to intercept her progress, but all to no use. One man
in running after her fell and broke his arm; another
hurt his leg; in one house the family was at breakfast,
the goodwife rose up in a hurry to see what was the
matter, and in doing so upset the table. In short, all

26

was confusion; but the hare still sped on her way. At
the Kirk Brae a big, stout old woman was coming into
the town with her little grandson, and when she saw
the hare she thought it was something uncanny, and
tried to get out of its way, but instead, stumbled and
fell on the top of the little boy, and nearly squeezed
the life out of him On went the hare, caring nothing
for the mischief she was causing. She crossed the old
bridge at Crawick, where Johnnie Graham, the black-
smith, was at the smithy door fastening a horse's shoe ;
he threw the hammer at her as she passed, but in a
moment he was thrown down, and the horse broke its
bridle, and galloped oft at full speed. The hare
turned the comer and up the Crawick road, and was
never again seen or heard tell of. It is said that
everyone who interfered in any way with this hare
came to grief. To the Leadhills band she gave the
unkindest cut of all. The band joined the procession
at the start, having Black Geordie from Dalgig beating
the drum. They commenced briskly playing " John
Anderson, my Jo," but let them do what they could
they could never play any other tune. " John Ander-
son, my Jo " they played from first to last, and this
ridiculous predicament soon made them the laughing-
stock of all within hearing. It was generally believed
that this hare was not a Crawick Mill witch. Some
who were skilled in witch-lore and sic-like asserted that
it was a Tory witch come express from Drumlanrig to
upset the day's rejoicings, and if such was the case
she nearly succeeded.

The last story I have of the uncanny sisterhood is
of a comparatively recent date. An elderly gentle-
man was taking his accustomed walk along the New
Road, at Sanquhar, accompanied by his favourite dog,

27

''Osman," a faithful animal of the NewfomuUand
breed. When past the Manse Avenue he observed a
hare of annsnally large size in the glebe. Puss hirpled
leisurely across the field until she reached the opposite
side, and seating herself on top of the stone dyke, made
a survey in all directions, then coolly rubbed her nose
with her paw, and looked at the gentleman as much
as to say, " I see you, sir, and your dog Osman, too,
but I care nothing for either of you," then jumped
down and disappeared. Meantime the man who had
been a keen sportsman in his youth felt rather
irritated at the provoking coolness of the hare, ai|d
anxious to see a spin over the field had tried all he
could to make his dog see her; but it was useless, the
dog could not be made to see the hare, nor even could
it be induced to put its nose to the ground to take up
the scent, although previously it had proved itself to
be both clear sighted and keen scented. Many people
on hearing of the circumstance declared that the big
hare must have been one of the Crawick Mill witches,
and ever after when the hare was spoken of she was
termed the "big hare." Not long after this the
annual greyhound coursing took place, and gentlemen
from all quarters with their dogs assembled on the
occasion. The place selected for the hunt was
adjacent to the glebe where the ''big hare " had first
shown herself. It is a field well suited for the dogs
running, and the roadway and high ground adjoining
afford a good view to spectators. Among the gentle-
men present was Mr Jardine, M.F. for the county;
he had a large number of dogs with him, and several
were noted prize-takers. The hares were plentiful and
strong; indeed the honourable gentleman was heard to
remark that he doubted they were too strong for his

28

dogs. After a few courses had been nm, ap started
the ''big hare." One of Mr Jardine's dogs, and
another famous on the coursing field, were slipped
after her, and two other dogs which had broken from
the leash joined the chase. Away went puss in gallant
style with the four dogs after her; she seemed to care
little for them all, but doubled and turned in a catch-
me-if-you-can sort of way, and it was observed that
she never lowered her ears as hares do when hard
pushed, but kept them quite erect all the time. When
the four dogs were in full cry after her, many thought
that all was over with poor puss. But she entertained
no such ideas. She sprang through a hole in a dyke,
and the dogs running with all their speed struck the
wall with so much force that the crack was heard at
a considerable distance. Many of the spectators
thought that the dogs would never run again; but be
that as it may, one thing is certain, none of the dogs
attempted to follow the hare further, and while all
was in a commotion to know what injury the hounds
had sustained, puss limped across the field and sat
down on the brae-head a short distance from the
Broomfield, and looked down on those she had just
left. Some would not have cared to have said that
they heard a peal of derisive laughter coming from
the place where she sat. After a little she went over
the brae, and denned among some rushes near St.
Bride's Well. The hare was often seen after this, and
taken more notice of than eveir. One of the keepers
who was considered the crack shot of the parish fired
at her twice without effect. She never appeared to go
far from her old haunts, so that it was no uncommon
thing to hear that the "big hare" had been seen at
such and such a place. But it has not now been seen

29

for many years. Probably she resomed her former
shape, and has left this part of the country.

These are some of the stories told of the Crawick
Mill witches and their doings in the days of lang syne.
At the present day Crawick Mill is a tidy, thriving
village, having every available spot about the doors of
the cottages planted with flowers, and in summer is
literally in a blaze of perfumed blossom. From mom
till night is heard the birr of machinery, the clang of
the forge, and the cheery song of the happy toiler. It
is now many years since the last of the reputed
witches shuffled o£f the mortal coil, and now the only
witches to be found are the industrious, bonnie lasses,
with rosy cheeks and sparkling e'en, whose charms are
qualified to cast a powerful spell over the amorous
swains, and do more damage in the way of stealing
hearts than all the old hags who ever lived there or
anywhere else could do with their glamour, and he
has good reason to think himself a fortunate fellow
who gets for a wife a Crawick Mill Witch.

ABRAHAM CRICHTON'S GHOST.

CRINGAN AND THE CUDDY.

The story of the ghost of Abraham Crichton is the
best known of the Sanquhar traditionary legends of
the uncanny order, and before now has engaged the
pens of several writers. In the following narrative
will be found some particulars not hitherto pub-
lished : —

Abraham Crichton was a merchant in Sanquhar.
He was a descendant of the ancient lords of Crichton
Peel, and lived and had his place of business in the
High Street. He was a shrewd, active business man,
reputed to be very wealthy, and was held in high
estimation by his fellow townsmen, who, in 1734, on
the death of his brother, Provost John Crichton, whom
he succeeded as Laird of Caroo, raised him to the
rank of chief magistrate. He took a keen interest
in everything relating to the welfare of the burgh,
and during his term of office it was that a beginning
was made with the building of the Council House.
Abraham's prosperity, however, was not lasting, for
in 1741 he was declared a bankrupt. Some years
previously the parish of Kirkbride had been merged
into the neighbouring parishes of Sanquhar and Duris-
deer, and the ancient kirk allowed to fall into a

32

neglected condition. The dismemberment of the old
parish and the abolition of services in Kirkbride was
the cause of much strong feeling, and those who had
contributed to the change were looked upon by many
as being guilty of nothing short of the grossest sacri-
lege. Misfortunes and disasters are said to have
followed all who had a hand in the spoliation.
Abraham Crichton was one of the heritors. He had
no veneration for the ancient kirk, and, doubtless
thinking that if the building were destroyed it would
put an end to the clamouring for resumption of ser-
vices, swore that he would " sune ding doon the
Whigs' sanctuary." He accordingly got some men
together to unroof the building. But the attempt
was frustrated by a tremendous storm that compelled
the workmen to desist, and Abraham soon after
met his death near Dalpeddar by a fall from his horse.
His violent end was looked upon as a judgment for
his share in the impious work, and, along with a
rumour that previous to his bankruptcy he had acted
a dishonest part by hiding his money, gave rise to the
story that when he was buried his body could not
rest in the grave until he had made reparation for
his misdeeds. His ghost was often seen in the even-
ing walking in the kirkyard or grinning over the low
wall that surrounded it, a terror to all who had to
pass that way after nightfall. Sometimes it would
run after, an unfortunate wight on his way to Crawick-
mill, and chase him as far as the Elirk Syke, but no
further, for a running stream no ghost can cross.
People journeying into the town were often pursued to
the Boddings Strand, the little runner behind the
Council House, now covered over, and when thus held
in check by the running water the ghost would make

33

signs as if he wished to speak. No one, however, was
courageous enough to enter into conversation with
such an uncanny being; and what secret, if any, the
ghost had to divulge was never known. In those days it
was the custom to milk the cows in the open fields, and
it frequently happened that the gloaming had set in
by the time the milkmaids had finished their task.
On these occasions Abraham's ghost was wont to make
appearance, when the milking pails were at once flung
aside, and the affrighted damsels, taking to their
heels, would run screaming home and tell how
Abraham had chased them. Cases of this kind
became so frequent, and the ghost grew so bold, that
after a time scarcely anyone had courage to pass by
the kirkyard after dark. Abraham Crichton's ghost
was the terror of everyone, and his exploits were talked
of all over Nithsdale.

A full account of the wonderful doings of the re-
suscitated Provost was published in a chap-book, and,
circulating over the length and breadth of the land,
gave Abraham a notoriety that in life he could not
have dreamed of. Some of the most learned men of
the day were even disturbed by the stories of the
ghost, and Dr Simpson tells us that the apparition was
gravely discussed in the Edinburgh forum. He says
a full report of the discussion was given in a literary
periodical then conducted under the editorship of
Thomas Buddiman. Things came to such a pass that
it was deemed absolutely necessary to take the most
drastic measures possible to lay the ghost. It was
believed that if a God-fearing man could be got,
courageous enough to speak to the mischief-maker and
use certain sacred charms^ that the ghost would be

laid to rest for ever. A venerable minister of the

3

34

luume of Hunter, who resided at thiB time in Fenpont,
and who enjoyed a reputation for sanctity, was asked
to undertake the desperate task. He readily agreed.
Accordingly, after a day spent in prayer, he went
alone at midnight to the kirkyard, and with sword
and Bible in his hands took up his post at Abraham
Crichton's . grave. In the morning he was eagerly
asked by the townsfolk how he had passed the night.
Mr Hunter replied that he had effectively laid the
ghost. Abraham, he said, would never trouble them
again. Pressed to tell what actually took place
between himself and the spirit, he replied, '' No man
shall ever know what passed between us." Never-
theless, it was said that Mr Hunter, when he stood
at Abraham's grave on that memorable night, drew
a charmed circle around him with his sword, and over
this no unhallowed footstep or evil spirit could pass.
Abraham's ghost, when it made its appearance, was
powerless against the man of God. It stood outside
the ring and held out its hand to Mr Hunter, who
refused it. Instead he threw his glove outside the
circle, when it was instantly seized by the ghost and
torn to pieces. Mr Hunter then, with open Bible,
conjured the ghost never again to disturb or frequent
the abodes of man, when the spirit with a fiendish
cry descended into the grave and has never been seen
since. Abraham's grave was covered with a " thruch-
stane," and, the more effectually to keep him under
and prevent his escape, a strong iron chain was bound
over it, and thus the mind of the public was at last
set at rest.

On the Sunday following this victory over the
powers of evil, Mr Hunter is said to have preached an

35

eloquent sermon from the text — ** How art thou fallen
from heaven, O Lndfer, son of the morning."

A lingering suspicion existed for many a day that
Abraham might rise again, and for many years after-
wards it tried the courage of the boldest to past the
kirkyard after nightfall. The fear of seeing the ghost
was the cause of many a laughable incident, of which
the following is a specimen.

During the late Mr Barker's proprietorship of the
collieries at Sanquhar the pits were situated near
Crawickbridge, and the colliers for the most part
resided in the town. The men went to their work very
early, generally commencing in the winter season at
two or three o'clock in the morning. One of the
colliers named Cringan, a notorious coward, lived at
the Townhead, and had to pass the kirkyard every
morning when he went to his work. On the dark
winter mornings when not accompanied by any of his
fellow workmen he was in the habit, when he came
to the top of the kirk brae, of shutting his eyes and
running down at full speed until he was past the
stream between the kirk and the Broomfield. This
he did for fear he should see the ghost, and, of course,
when he got over the running water he knew he was
safe, and he then took time and walked leisurely to
his work. It happened one very dark morning that,
unfortunately for Cringan, he had to go to work
alone. On the day previous a band of tinkers had
come to the neighbourhood, bringing a donkey with
them, which at nightfall had been set to graze by the
roadside. Wearied with the previous day's journey,
the animal lay down to rest on the road in the middle
of the kirk brae, and exactly opposite the church.

That morning Cringan, as was his wont, closed his

36

eyes at the brae top and commenced to run at full
speed. When half-way down he fell over the donkey.
Thinking he had fallen into Abraham's bosom,
he rose up with a yell and ran with all speed like one
demented till he reached the pit, where he told of a
marvellous escape from the ghost, much to the amuse-
ment of his fellow workmen, who had come the same
road before him and seen the donkey lying.

APPARITIONS NEAR SANQUHAR

MANSE.

A mysterious apparition has, from time to time,
ever since I can remember, been seen near Sanqohar
Manse. The place haunted does not appear to be
the manse itself, but that part of the glebe adjoining
the public road, also the avenue and roadway between
the manse and the kirk, and the new road from the top
of the Coal Road to the Milestone. How this quarter
came to be haunted I have never been able to learn.
It has been surmised that the troubled spirit is in
some way connected with the ancient mound covered
with trees close to the manse, and associated with the
Druids, but I have never heard of anything to justify
that supposition. Whatever may be the cause, there
can be no doubt that uncanny beings have frequently
been seen here, as several persons now living are able
to testify.

Mrs Hamilton, Castle Street, told me that one
Sabbath afternoon many years ago she went, in com-
pany with another woman still living, on a visit to
the late Mr and Mrs EUslop at the Tower Farm,
where two of the children at the time were suffering
from scarlet fever. Mrs Hislop, wishing to have their

38

company as long as she could, pressed on them to stay
until it was past nine o'clock, when they set out for
their homes in Sanquhar. It was a bright, moon-
light night, fine and calm, and with everything still.

At Whitehill they were joined by Mr Orr, the
parish schoolmaster, who entered into conversation and
accompanied them towards the town. They went thus
quietly along until when within fifty yards or so from
the manse avenue they were all three startled at the
sudden and mysterious appearance of a man a few
yards in front of them, right in the middle of the
road. He seemed to have risen out of the ground,
so sudden was his appearance ; he made no sound what-
ever with his feet, and appeared to glide along rather
than to walk in front of them. The three were
terror-struck, for they were certain it was no mortal
that was going on in front; but, taking a firm grasp
of each other's hands and saying not a word, they
felt impelled to follow the mysterious apparition,
which continued to glide along until the manse avenue
was reached, when it disappeared as suddenly and
unaccountably as it had presented itself. Mr Orr
and his two companions were amazed at such an inex-
plicable occurrence, and the former for a long time
tried hard to find some solution of the mystery, but
unsolved it remains to this day.

A similar apparition was seen by the late Mr David
Oliver and a friend, who were taking a walk together
out the New Road before turning in for the night. It
was a nice, calm evening, dark, but not particularly
so. While walking and quietly conversing, there all
at once sprang up by their side, near the clump of
trees marking the glebe boundary, the appearance of
a tall, dark man, which glided along noiselessly, keep-

39

ing step with Oliver and his friend until they came
to the manse avenue, where it vanished. It made
no noise whatever, nor did it speak, or seek to inter-
fere in any way with either of the two friends.

This same apparition has been seen in the roadway
between the avenue and the Broomfield, and also
between there and the kirk; while a white ghost is
said also to have been seen in the glebe between the
manse and the Milestone. It will be remembered
that the ghost of Abraham Crichton frequently showed
itself in the fields near the kirkyard, sending the
a£Frighted milkmaids adrift whenever it made appear-
ance. The quarter, therefore, between the kirkyard
and the glebe has always had a kind of uncanny repu-
tation, and at one time it required no little courage
to pass that way after nightfall.

SANQUHAR CASTLE SPECTRE.

Sanquhar Castle, the ancient home of the Ciichtons,
has been the scene of many a thrilling incident; its
ancient walls witnessed many a deed of high and
chivalrous daring in the days when Scotland was
gallantly struggling for independence against her
avaricious southern neighbour; and, if the old peel
could speak it could tell many a tale of bloody con-
flicts, of deeds heroic, of pageantry and festival when
kings were feted within its gates; and also tales of
tyranny, oppression, and suffering, all now forgot.
Like many other old baronial fortresses, Crichton Peel
has its ghosts; and, considering the many dark deeds
that are said to have taken place within its walls, it
is little to be wondered at that stories have long been
current of perturbed spirits wandering to and fro,
among its ruined towers. Two ghosts are said to
haunt Sanquhar Castle — one male, the other female.
The former, so far as I ever knew, is invisible, but
makes its whereabouts known by loud groans and
lamentations and the rattling of chains; the female
is a lady clad in white dead clothes. For their story
we have to go away back to the days when the old
barons were a law to themselves; when might was
right, when for them was sufficient

" The good old rule, the simple plan,
That they should take who have the power,
And they should keep who can."

42

Stories have been handed down of individuals hav-
ing been starved to death in the old keep, and im-
prisoned within its walls until they had signed over
to the avaricious lords their rights to their possessions.
The perturbed spirit whose presence is made known
by his groans and the clanking of chains is said to be
that of an unoffending man who was done to death
by Robert, the sixth Lord of Sanquhar. His name
was John Wilson, and he was a tenant and servitor
of Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick of Closebum. The details
of the arrest and execution of this innocent individual
are set forth in the Records of the Scottish Privy

Council. From these it would appear that in 1597
Wilson had been sent by Kirkpatrick with a letter to

Lord Sanquhar, who was Sheriff and the Eing's
Justiciary in Nithsdale, and by him seized upon and
incarcerated in the castle. At the time. Sir* James
Douglas of Drumlanrig had differences with Kirkpat-
rick, and as Lord Sanquhar had entered into a bond
of friendship with the former, he apparently made his
neighbour's quarrel his own, and seized upon Wilson
as a hostage for his friend. Kirkpatrick complained
to the Privy Council that Lord Sanquhar, '' under the
pretext and cullour of justice," intended to '' utter
his haitrent and malice aganis the said Thomas ELirk-
patrick, his kin, and friendis, tennants and servandis,*'
and particularly that he had *' putt violent hands on
Johne Wilsoun, his tennant and servand, quhome he
direckit to the said Lord with a missive letter, and
detanis him in strait ffrmance.'' Kirkpatrick asked
the Council for redress, and requested that he and his
retainers should be exempted from Lord Sanquhar's
jurisdiction as Sheriff. This prayer was granted by
the Lords of the Council. But Crichton could not

43

brook interference where he held sway, and, in defiance
both of the Privy Lords and the King, caused John
Wilson to be put to death, ''qohaw was a trew man,
nevir spotted nor suspect of any sic crymes as he (Lord
Sanquhar) falslie objectit against him." Wilson was
hanged on the Gallows Knowe, where, if tradition
speaks rightly, he was not by any means the only
innocent man who there met his fate. Beyond being
for a time suspended from his offices, nothing what-
ever was done to Lord Sanquhar for his dastardly act.
Years after, however, his misdeeds found him out, for
he was hanged at Westminster in 1612 for being
accessory to the murder of Turner, a fencing-master
who had accidentally thrust out one of his eyes while
they were practising with the foils. It was this
Robert, Lord Sanquhar, who in 1598 secured the Royal
Charter for Sanquhar burgh. Pity he should have
disgraced himself in the manner he did.

Now as to the ghost. Many years ago an old
woman, long dead and gone, gave me an account of
mysterious noises she had heard at the castle. About
sixty years ago she and her husband, who had been
out of the district for some time, came back to live in
Sanquhar. They had a great difficulty in obtaining
a dwelling-house, but at last succeeded in getting a
small dwelling from the farmer of the Castle Mains.
This was a house of only one apartment, and stood
dose to the ruins of the castle under the shadow of
the old keep or Wallace's Tower. This house had
been used by the farmer as a milk-house, but after my
informant left it was allowed to fall into decay, and
years ago was removed altogether. During the winter
months that the couple occupied this lonely dwelling,
they were on several occasions much alarmed by noises

44

as if someone were going about the castle dragging a
heavy chain, and at the same time hearing groans and
sighs as from some person in great distress. They
were unable to account for the sounds, although search
was made on more than one occasion, and had no
hesitation in putting them down to supernatural
causes. Similar sounds have been heard by various
people at different times..

The Lady in White is said only to show herself on
rare occasions, and her appearance is supposed to bode
no good to the ancient Crichton family. Why she
haunts the castle I never could learn, further than
that the spectre is the ghost of a beauteous maiden,
daughter of a neighbouring vassal, and that she had
been seduced and cruelly murdered by one of the
Lords of Sanquhar. Only at rare intervals was this
apparition seen, and when it did appear then trouble
was in store for the Crichtons.

Human remains at various times have been found
in and around the castle. Many years ago a coffin
containing the skeleton of a tall, strong man, without
the head, was found under the floor of one of the
vaults; and at another time the skeleton of a woman,
with long yellow hair still attached to the skull, was
discovered head downmost in a pit or sewer. If the
old walls could speak, what deeds of darkness they
would unfold!

I have heard tell of an uncouth apparition being
seen to the south of the castle, near the old Port Well,
and also on the road between the castle and the ford
through Nith at the Mains. This was believed to be
none other than Auld Nick himsel'.

Alexander Broadfoot, the gudeman of South Mains,
was a pious, well-living man, much respected by all

45

who knew him. He is said to have often been assailed
by the evil one in many forms and ways, of which the
following is an example. He was a keen curler, and
one night had beep in Sanquhar attending a meeting
of devotees of the roaring game held in the Queens-
berry Arms Inn. There was an extra amount of
business, and the meeting was protracted beyond its
usual time. Mrs Broadfoot, thinking her husband
long in coming, sent her daughter on horseback to the
town to fetch him home. The business being finished,
Alexander mounted the horse, his stepdaughter getting
up behind him, and away they jogged down the
street, passed the Castle, and down the Port Well
Brae to the ford. All went right until they reached
the riverside; but just as they were entering the water
the devil, in the form of a large black sack of wool,
came rolling in before them, and went floundering
through Nith, sometimes almost touching the horse's
nose. Broadfoot said to his terrified companion —
''Ha'e nae fear, it's him, the auld rascal; he'll
neither bum nor droon. Ay, I ken him, I hae'na
seen him sae seldom. Keep a firm baud o' me, and
never fash yer thoom aboot him; there is Ane that
has the care o' you and me this nicht, wha is stronger
than a' the devils in hell." When they reached the
other side, the devil disappeared, but the horse,
usually a quiet animal, snorted and shook with fear.

Now-a-days we know nothing about what gude
folks had to suffer lang syne.

THE GHOST HOUSE.

Many of the older people of Sanquhar will re-
member an old house that stood in the field near the
new bridge at Crawick. It was called the Ghost
House, and the field, the Forge Park. The field was
rented at one time by Mr Rigg of Crawick Forge, but
it now forms part of Whitehill farm. As far back as
I can remember no person lived in the Ghost House,
but before it was demolished it had been used as a
shed for feeding cattle. The place was said to be
haunted by the ghost of a woman, hence the name.
No one ventured near it after nightfall, and few
cared to go near it even in the day time. Frequently
those who had occasion to pass that way at night were
startled by the apparition of a woman which screamed
and yelled in a desperate manner, and loudly called
for help, this being followed by a few stifled cries and
groans, and then all was still. Little wonder such a
sight struck terror to the benighted rustic, who took
to his heels, feeling himself safest when the greatest
distance was between him and the haunted house.
Such was the state of things concerning the Ghost
House sixty years ago. Since the removal of the
house the story about its being haunted seems to be
forgotten by many of the old people, and few of a

48

younger generation will have heard of it. The tradi-
tion in my young days was that a helpless woman had
met a cruel death in the house, and that her ghost
visited the place, calling for vengeance on the mur-
derers.

That a murder had been committed there I do not
in the least doubt. About thirty years ago I was
taking a walk along the New Road. It was a fine
spring morning, and, wishing to enjoy the caller air,
I seated myself on the bridge that spans the Crawick,
and not far from the site of the haunted house. A
ploughman was turning over the soil. I went up to
him for a few minutes' conversation while his horses
breathed, and he told me that on the previous day he
had turned up a quantity of bones, and part of what
he thought was a human skull. Being curious to see
them he led me to the place, which was only a short
distance from the spot where stood the old house.
There sure enough were the remains of a human
skeleton, but to be certain I gathered up several of the
bones in my handkerchief, and took them in to the
doctor for his opinion. He at once said that they
formed part of a human body, and were the arm and
leg bones of a woman. I, of course, returned the
bones to the place where they were turned up, and
there they were again interred. Mentioning this
circumstance at the time to an old woman, a non-
agenarian, she told me that, when a girl, she re-
membered a man and his wife living in the house.
They were an ill-matched pair. The woman, she
said, was a decent, well-conducted person, but the
husband was a drunken ne'er-do-well who shamefully
abused his wife. He also formed an illicit intimacy
with an abandoned woman who travelled the country.

49

Matters became daily worse for the poor wife. The
cottage was situated in a lonely part (it most be
remembered that the '' New Road " and bridge were
not made then), and few people came near the place.
Being strangers in the locality they had no visitors*
and there was no one to take the persecuted woman's
part. After a time the woman disappeared, and when
inquiries were made at the husband, he said his wife
had gone to see her friends. But suspicion was
aroused, and stories of foul play were circulated, and
the man and his paramour suddenly took their depar-
ture, and were never again seen or heard of in the
district. Although no body was found, everyone, said
my informant, believea at the time that the poor
woman had been murdered, and strange sights and
sounds, as I have narrated above, continued round the
house.

I have no doubt in my mind that the bones turned

up by the plough were the remains of the poor woman
who had been so cruelly used and murdered.

THE DREARY LADY OF THE LINN.

STRANGE STORIES OF THE ORCHARD BURN.

The peaceful valley of the Crawick appears to have
had a peculiar attraction for beings supernatural; and
for generations its bosky glens and leafy braes have
been the reputed haunt of ghosts, fairies, witches, and
other beings of an uncanny kind. This sweet,
pastoral vale in its nine miles course can boast of
scenery unequalled in its quiet beauty, possessing in its
woods and waters, its hazelly glens and green-clad
hills, everything that can contribute to the making of
the finest landscape, while to increase the charm it
abounds in the most romantic tales of byegone days.
Crawick is particularly rich in stories and stirring in-
cidents of the Covenanting times, sufficient of them-
selves to fill a volume; it is associated with some
lively doings in the days of feudal strife and the wars
with our '' auld enemies," the English, and has a
wealth of stories of a supernatural and uncanny order.
I shall endeavour to relate something of the more
romantic of the latter.

I have in the '' Ghost House " told of the appari-
tion of the white woman that haunted the vicinity of

52

Crawick Bridge. Crawick Mill has for ages been
famous for its witches, and, farther up the water, in
the Holm woods, at the confluence with the Conrick
burn, is the "Witches' Stairs," an abrupt crag where
the unholy sisterhood were wont to hold their revels,
and just a little higher, in the middle of the stream,
is the '' Deil's Chair,'' a rock on which his Satanic
Majesty is said to have sat in conference with the
water kelpies, warlocks, and others of his subjects.
But the Orchard with its haunted linn, a mile beyond,
was, " par excellence," the scene of the wanderings of
the troubled spirits of the departed.

The Orchard farm-house stands on the right bank
of the Crawick near to where it is joined by the
Orchard burn, a mountain stream that works its way
through a deep gorge in the Carco hills on the west.
The Orchard occupies the site of an ancient religious
house, latterly the dwelling of the lairds who had
possession of the lands. The apparitions that showed
themselves near this place and in the linn were a
White Lady, a Man clothed entirely in Black, and an
immense Black Dog. On account of these apparitions
the ravine has been named the "Haunted Linn."

I shall deal flrst with the White Lady, who is known
as "The Dreary Lady of the Linn." This appearance
was that of a tall, well-made lady, arrayed in white
dead-clothes, who was wont at certain seasons^ in the
evenings, to walk slowly along the ridge on the north
side of the road above the bridge over the Orchard
burn, and occasionally to seat herself on the bridge
parapet. She was never known to speak to or molest
anyone, and although she did not shun human beings
she took no notice whatever of those wayfarers who
happened to cross her path, but moved slowly along.

53

ultimately vanishing into space in a manner as
mystifying as was the way in which she erolTed her-
self. Those who have seen the lady (and there are
some who in recent years say they have seen this
apparition) state that she appeared to be in great
distress, her pale face, that of a beautiful young
woman, indicating the most bitter despair, while, as
she moved along, she kept intertwining and wringing
her hands as people are wont to do when sufiPering
from some great affliction or intense agony of mind.
Although she interfered with no one, the sight of the
''Dreary Lady" was dreaded by all, for misfortune
or ill-luck was almost certain to soon after follow
whoever was unfortunate enough to cast eyes on her.
The story of the ''Dreary Lady" takes one back to
the days of the Covenanters, for it was then that the
troubled spirit had its abode in the flesh. At that
period a handsome young woman lived at the
Orchard; she was accounted one of the loveliest of
the daughters of Crawick, and had a host of admirers
among the young men of the valley. The favoured
swain was a young farmer, a God-fearing, well-living
youth, much esteemed by his neighbours, and strong
in his affection for his sweetheart, whom he had known
and loved from childhood. The lovers were all in all
to each other, and both were looking forward to the
time when they would have a home of their own.
But then, as now, the course of true love never ran
smooth; and something or other happened that caused
a break in their attachment, and, like others who had
done the same before and since, the maiden ere long
showed favour to another wooer, still, however, having
a secret regard for her old sweetheart, who at this time
had thrown in his lot with the persecuted hill folk, a

54

fact well known to the young lady of the Orchard.
Hearing that her former lover had been seen in the
company of another young woman, she was so im-
pelled by jealousy that she thought of nothing but
how she might be revenged for the fancied slight. A
great conventicle was about to be held; she got to
know that her old sweetheart would be there, and
told her new suitor when and where the meeting would
take place. This individual thought that if the
young farmer, whom he still looked upon as a rival,
were out of the way, he would have no obstacle to
bar his union with her on whom he had fixed his
choice; and accordingly he told the military, then
scouring the country in search of the rebels, as they
designated the Covenanters, of the forthcoming field
preaching. A company of dragoons was told oft to
disperse the congregation, and in the flight that took
place the young farmer was killed. On news of this
event being carried to the Orchard, the young lady
had a terrible shock, and experienced such a revulsion
of feeling that she never again spoke to the youth
who thought he had supplanted the farmer in her
affections. She fell into a state of melancholy, which
latterly turned to insanity, and within six months of
the death of 'her lover her dead body was found lying
in a pool in the Orchard bum, her hands firmly
grasping a love token given her by him whom she
had betrayed.

The apparition of the Man clothed in Black was
said to have been none other than the evil one him-
self. Dressed in funeral habiliments^ and assuming
a pious air, he was wont to foregather with people on
Crawick road or join their company in the Orchard
linn or when crossing the Carco hill, and, as he did

55

of old in the form of the serpent, try, by deceit and
cunning, to lead them from the paths of virtue.
Money, it has been said, is the root of all evil; and
no one knows this better than the devil, who set his
plans accordingly. An easy means to acquire wealth
was pointed out to those whom he met, and Satan
agreed to become for a term of years the submissive
servant of whoever accepted his terms, which were
that when the period fixed was expired, the individual
who had been served was in turn to give himself body
and soul to the enemy of mankind. Success for a
while seemed to follow those who entered into unholy
compact with the sable gentleman, but their end, as
with all who live an ungodly life, was never a peace-
ful one, and death came to them in its most hideous
form, either in a loathsome disease or in some terrible
catastrophe. With those who refused to be tempted
the old gentleman in black was utterly powerless, the
repetition of a verse from the Holy Scripture or a cry
for help to the Almighty being sufficient to put him
to utter rout, his retreat always being accompanied
with much fire and sulphurous odours.

A hundred and fifty years ago a school was kept
near the foot of the Haunted Linn, a little above the
bridge, by a worthy old man of the name of Ledgie
Cooper. It was the custom of the schoolmaster to
daily betake himself, for secret prayer, into the thick
wood behind the schoolhouse, and there he used to
spend much of his time in holy meditation. While
at his devotions in this retreat he was one day
assailed by the Devil, who tried to prevent him from
praying by pulling at his coat tails. He, however,
continued his supplications to heaven, and forced the
adversary to leave. Wishing to inculcate to his

56

scholars the necessity and power of prayer, he related
this conflict with Satan, and exhorted them, no
matter what opposition they might meet, never to
desist from the performance of what was their
boonden duty, but to remember the promise — ** resist
the Devil, and he will flee from you." The children
not thoroughly grasping the meaning of what their
teacher wished to convey, and being fully acquainted
with the stories of the uncanny doings of the spirits
who haunted the glen, listened fearfully and with hair
on end to the dominie's weird recital; but the place,
the circumstances, and old Ledgie's peculiar manner,
were too much for them; they were seized with terror,
and, believing that the Devil was actually present and
standing behind their master, they rose up with a
yell and bounded one and all out of the school. It
took much persuasion on the part of the old Laird
of the Orchard to get the affrighted children back;
Ledgie Cooper, he told them, '' was an honest man,
and it wadna dae for them to allow the Deil to abuse
him at that rate." This anecdote is related by Dr
Simpson in his ''Voice from the Desert," and forms
the subject of a delightful poem by Mr Alexander
Anderson (" Surfaceman "), who also in the ** Deil's
Stane " recounts an equally charming legend of the
Haunted Linn.

The " Deil's Big Stane " is about half a mile up the
stream from the bridge. It lies in the middle of the
channel, and is a huge granite boulder, with a peculiar
raised band of white spar, encircling it like a belt, and
therefore sometimes named " The Belted Stane." On
this rock are some dark purple spots, said to be drops
of blood which nothing will efface. A pedlar, two
hundred years ago, was waylaud here by a gang of

57

tinkers, and murdered for the sake of the petty wares
with which he traded among the cottagers. None of
the murderers were ever hrought to justice, and the
spirit of the unfortunate chapman is said to hover
round the immense stone, his death cry, borne on the
wind down the glen, often striking terror to the heart
and quickening the step of many a cotter homeward
bound.

Between the Deil's Big Stane and the bridge was
the scene of the exploits of the Black Dog. This was
a huge mastiff that would start up in front of passers
through the linn, and by much growling and snarling
seek to prevent their further progress. It never
actually attacked anyone, but when resisted would
make a retreat to the thickets^ where it would be
transformed into a black bull or some other animal,
at last taking the appearance of a man in his grave
clothes, and vanishing in a flash of fire. It is said
that a gang of smugglers who had a still for illicit
whisky distilling in a secret place in the glen, knew
pretty well all that the black dog did. They had
trained it to prevent people coming near their hiding
place, and, aided by the uncanny repute of the linn,
had little difficulty in keeping up a deception that kept
them secure for many a day.

APPARITIONS IN EUCHAN.

THE "BOTTLE BLOWER."

Euchan Water, like its sister river, the Crawick^ is
associated with many stirring incidents of olden times.
It abounds in tales of the Covenanters^ and, if
Crawick can boast of its witches, Euchan with equal
pride can point to the elves and fairies who were
wont to disport themselves on its sunny braes.
Ghosts, however, do not appear ever to have had any
particular liking for Euchan Water; and stories of the
spirits of the departed haunting its banks are vague
and fragmentary. A tall, dark individual, who at will
could transform himself into a dog or other animal,
was said to haunt the lower part of the water from
Euchan Mill to Kemp's Castle, the Quarry Elnowes
being his favourite howf; while a woman clad in
white frequented the wooded banks above the Falls.
How Euchan came to be visited by these uncanny
creatures I never could exactly learn, and, as I have
said, the stories of ghosts are merely fragmentary.

In days gone by there was a fairly large population
on the lower portion of Euchan, and a village, or at
least a decent sized clachan, stood on the south bank

60

close to the waterfall. A dye and waulk mill found
employment for the cotters; and the mill race with
the ruins of some of the houses can still be plainly
discerned. The last inhabitants of this deserted
village were two old women, sisters, who died towards
the end of the eighteenth century. They had lived
there by themselves many years after the mill had
been silent, and eked out a scanty living by wool
gathering and the work of their spinning wheel. It
is said that the constant noise of the waterfall had
rendered both women deaf. They were a pious, peace-
able pair, and were regular attenders at public
worship as long as they were able to undertake the
journey to and from the Parish Kirk at Sanquhar.
They knew the medicinal properties of many herbs
which they carefully gathered, and the ointments and
decoctions that they prepared were much sought after.
The quiet, solitary life this humble pair led, together
with their old-fashioned ways and their abode amongst
the ruined cottages of their long deceased neighbours,
made them appear as beings uncanny to the minds of
the younger and unthinking part of the population.

Among the preservers of herbs it was long ago
believed that to secure the full virtue of the plants
it was necessary to pluck them at certain quarters of
the moon. The old sisters thoroughly believed this,
and when the moon was in the proper phase they
would set out at midnight or in the small hours of
the morning for the gathering of the desired herbs.
This occasioned them many long wanderings, and the
appearance of one or both of the old women at such
an uncanny hour may well have given rise to stories
of ghosts by the benighted peasantry who came across
tliem, and I have no doubt would be the origin of

61

stories of the White Woman of Eudum. After the
death of the sisters, uncanny stories circled for a while
round their abode, but these, like the dachan itself,
are now forgotten.

Many of the ghosts and bogles stated to have been
seen round Sanquhar were simply the outcome of the
excited imaginings of young folks, who, seated round
the firesides on winter nights, listened with awestruck
faces to the marvellous tales told by their elders.
These stories had the effect of making even the most
stout-hearted feel eerie when passing some lonely place,
and any unlooked for sound or unexpected appearance
was sufficient to set the hair on end. Many amusing
incidents might be given of the terror inspired by
some simple object. Here is one that many years ago
I turned into verse. It relates a true incident, and
I have entitled it —

"Thb Bottlb Blowbb."

Where Euchan rins 'mang craigs and linns*

By mountains high and steep.
'Mang rowing stanes and prickly whins-

Where elves their revels keep —
When the moon so bricht sends forth her
licht

O'er hill, and glen^ and lea.
There witches dance and warlocks prance

In wild, unhallowed glee.

With cheerie plod, on that dreary road,

A traveller from Sanquhar came.
Through brake and fen, to the banks of Ken,

Where stood his humble hame ;
Oh, mark his look, as he crosses the brook ;

His hair stands up on en'.
He listens wi' fear some sound to hear

That comes from the rashie fen.

Alarmed he stood in a listening mood

By the water wimpling clear.
With fear he shook, yet the noise of the brook

Alone did meet his ear;

62

With anxious haste he onward pressed

From that unhallowed ground.
Still borne on the wind as from behind

Again came the awful sound.

In terror and dread he flew with speed

Away like a frightened deer.
For like the groan or the dying moan

Of a mortal he did hear;
With terror blind and distracted mind

He ran through moss and mire —
Through wood and brake he a road did take.

Not minding whin nor briar.

He on did run, and the ghost for fun

Still kept close in his rear ;
With bound and yell o'er moor and fell.

He on his course did steer.
Till his strength was spent, he fell on the
bent.

Expecting there to dee ;
Tet ventured to look, though his body shook.

For fear the ghost he'd see.

He at last looked round, but no ghost he
found.

Nor witch on a broomstick saw he ;
The moon shone bricht, and stars gave their
licht.

Ilka thing was as it should be ;
This may look queer, but Jock liked his beer.

When he on a journey did plod.
And carried a bottle to moisten his throttle.

And cheer up his heart on the road.

When he crossed the brook, he there took a
sook

That set him ahead of teetotal;
When stotting about, the cork it fell out.

And the wind blew loud in the bottle.
Both weary and lame he set out for hame.

But the pace was very much slower;
The story got wind, and still kept in mind —

He's kent still as the "Bottle iBlower.'

»

I have mentioned that Euchan was a resort of the
fairies. The favoured scenes of the revels of these
good little folks were the wooded banks at Kemp's
Castle, the little holm of Auchenbarran, and the

63

breckany slopes above Olenlarie and the Black Hill.
The '' Deil's Dungeon," the deep, dark, rocky channel
through which the Euchan forces its way in the pre-
cipitous ravine behind the farmhouse of Old Barr, is
connected with some doings of "Auld Nick/' It is
an eerisome place. A curious phenomenon was wit-
nessed at the Old Barr in 1745, which it will not be
out of place to relate here. I have referred to it in
my "Visitors' Guide to Sanquhar." While the
farmer's household was seated at dinner, there sud-
denly appeared, in the yard outside, the semblance of
a shower of broad blue bonnets, which continued to
fall in considerable numbers from an apparently great
height. On rushing out, no trace of the bonnets was
to be seen. The inmates were, of course, greatly
amazed and terrified at such a strange spectacle. This
queer sight was witnessed in broad daylight, in the
month of June of the year mentioned. The thing
was a mystery then and is now, although I have an
idea there is a likeness in it to the Mirage; but I
leave an explanation of the phenomenon to those better
informed. In closing my notes upon Euchan, I might
just mention that a " brownie " was, in persecuting
days, a welcome nightly visitor at the farmhouse of
XJlzieside. He is said to have got through the bigger
part of the threshing, and did much of the drudgery
about the place. This brownie was a much sought
after Covenanter; afraid to show himself abroad during
the day, he lay hid in some secret place about the farm,
and ventured out only when the household had retired
to rest. Provisions were placed for him nightly in
the bam, and in return for the food and shelter
afforded him the Covenanter performed all manner of
odd jobs in the night hours when no one was about.

I

THE GHOST OF LITTLEMARK.

Littlemark is a small farm on the Eliock estate
about three miles from Sanquhar, on the right bank of
the Nith. The house is surrounded by trees, and is
altogether a very lonely spot. For many years this
place had the reputation of being haunted. The
apparition was seen by persons passing near the house
in the gloaming or hazy moonlight, and took the form
of a bundle of goods, like a pedlar's pack, moving along
the groimd a short distance in front of the observer.
On a nearer approach the pack disappeared, or rather
mysteriously lessened and melted into space.

How Littlemark was haunted in this fashion is as
follows : —

About two hundred years ago the house was
occupied by a family of the name of Graham, consist-
ing of two brothers, Robert and Joseph, and a sister,
Mary Graham. The men, although regular church
attenders, and apparently steady, industrious farmers,
were in reality accomplished hypocrites, and, as this
story will show, villains of the deepest dye. One
dark winter night a pedlar came into the district with
a large stock of drapery and other goods, which was
carried by a pack horse. One of the Grahams met

in with him, and, under the pretence of giving him

5

66

lodgings, took him to their house, where he was cruelly
murdered. Now, Mary Graham was rather an attrac-
tive, good-looking young woman, and she had a sweet-
heart in Sanquhar named Andrew Gourlay, and it so
happened that on the night of the murder she had a
tryst with her lover. When Gourlay arrived at Little-
mark he was surprised to see the windows closely
screened, which was something unusual, and, hearing
sounds as of a violent struggle going on within, he
cautiously approached. Observing that one of the
window panes was broken, he put in the end of his
stick and raised the curtain, when to his horror he
saw the two brothers, aided by their sister, engaged
in strangling the unfortunate pedlar. He hurried
home as fast as he could, but said nothing of what
he had seen to any one but his mother. He had cared
a great deal for the young woman, and he did not
wish to expose her. Of course he never went to see
her again. Some weeks after this terrible night, how-
ever, she met him at a Sanquhar fair, when she began
to rate him soundly for not keeping his tryst. Gourlay
unwisely told her that he had been true to his promise,
that he had been at Littlemark, and asked her what
bloody business she and her brothers were engaged in
on that night. He then turned round and left her.

Now all this time the pedlar's horse had been wan-
dering about Eliock woods. No one knew to whom it
belonged, nor did any one seek after it. It had been
whispered that some foul deed had been committed;
but the Grahams felt quite secure, thinking no one
had seen them, and fondly hoped to enjoy unmolested
their ill-gotten gains. But when the sister went home
from the fair and told what had passed between her-
self and her former sweetheart, the brothers were

67

seized with alarm, and, being afraid that Gonrlay
would be a witness against them, the trio determined
to waylay and murder him on the first opportunity.
It was not long before their diabolical design was put
into execution.

Andrew Gourlay followed the occupation of a
shepherd, and was sent by his master with a drove
of sheep to some place near Dumfries. It was in the
winter season, and, having a long road to travel, it
was about midnight when he reached Mennockfoot on
his way home. The Grahams were on the watch; and
at a spot not far from Eliock Bridge came out to
attack him. Gourlay, in desperation, sprang into the
Nith, at the time in flood, where he reached a rock in
the middle of the river and round which a strong
current flowed into a foaming pool below. It was a
dangerous leap, and could only have been effected
tmder the impulse of terror. His cowardly assailants
dared not follow him. He hung on to the rock, but
the Grahams threw stones at him until, bruised and
bleeding, the unfortunate youth was forced to let go
his hold, when he sank into the pool below and was
drowned. The youth was soon missed, and on search
being made his body was found near Glenairlie. It
plainly bore the marks of foul play. All his fingers
were cut and smashed with the stones, and on the
rock where he had so desperately clung were found
marks of blood and shreds of his clothing. Gourlay 's
mother at once guessed who were the perpetrators of
the horrible crime, and told the neighbours what her
son had told her of the murder of the pedlar.

The indignation of the people was aroused, and a
party at once set off for Littlemark to arrest the
murderers. But they were too late; the birds had

68

flown, and left no trace behind. Tradition says that
the horse of the murdered pedlar wandered about
Eliock woods until it died, the people round about
being afraid to go near it. The body of the pedlar,
many years after, was found on Eliock Moor by some
people who were casting peats. It was said to be in
good preservation when found, but crumbled to dust
after exposure to the aiir. It is told that many years
afterwards one of the murderers, Joseph Graham, the
younger brother, under the fictitious name of " Beggar
Johnnie," visited Sanquhar. He was a feeble old
man, and begging. Recognised at a house he called
at, he was accused of being one of the Grahams of
Littlemark and a murderer. He was seized with a
great terror, confessed his crimes, and almost immedi-
ately afterwards fell down as if in a fit, and died in
the greatest agony. Mary Graham, to whom, previous
to the murder of Andrew Gourlay, had been brought
home the crime of incest, committed with her brother
Robert, survived her brothers. When far advanced in
years she returned to Sanquhar parish, and took up
her abode in a solitary hut on the moors, where, un-
attended and unlamented, she expired, much to the
relief of every one in the district, all being glad that
such an evil woman had gone from their midst.

If at night a wailing sound is heard to come from
the Nith, or issue from the Eliock woods, it is said
to be the cry of the spirit of the murdered shepherd.

THE GHOST OF LADY HEBRON.

On ih.e Nithsdale road, about three miles south of
Sanquhar, and near to Dalpeddar, there stands by the
dyke-side a large hawthorn tree, or rather a clump of
trees, all apparently sprung from one stem, which bears
the name of *' Lady Hebron." This is rather a lonely
part, and has long been looked upon as an uncanny
place, and is shunned after nightfall by residents in
the neighbourhood. Belated travellers have said that
at this spot they have seen, towards the hour of mid-
night, the appearance of a lady, dressed all in white,
accompanied by a child, also in white, which was fre-
quently heard to scream. This is the ghost of Lady
Hebron and her child. The tradition as I have heard
it from old people who had lived aU their days in the
neighbourhood is as follows: — Somewhere away back in
the early part of the seventeenth century there lived
near Dalpeddar a man who possessed a small lairdship
on which he resided. He had three daughters, among
whom his estate was shared when he died. Two of
the daughters died unmarried, but the third and
youngest, whose name was Hebron, married, and had
one child — a boy. The husband died shortly after
the child was bom. Lady Hebron, as the widow was
called, continued to live on the property. She lived

70

ft quiety secluded life, her whole care being centred in
her little boy. whom she rarely allowed out of her
sight.

It was said that a near relative, the widow's uncle,
looked on the child with very different feelings, seeing
him only as the chief obstacle between himself and
the property. After a time the widow and child dis-
appeared. No one could tell anything about them,
nor were they ever seen again. It was suspected that
they had met with foul play, but such was the dis-
turbed state of the country at the time that the
authorities took little or no notice of the matter. The
uncle, unquestioned, entered into possession. That Lady
Hebron and her son had been murdered is substanti-
ated by the fact that many years ago the bones of a
grown-up person and a child were discovered near the
tree bearing the name of the ill-fated woman. The
remains, buried beneath a large stone, were found by
a man who was planting potatoes. The skull of the
woman was split as if by an axe or some other sharp
weapon. Such is the story of Lady Hebron.

A good many years ago I happened to be on business
near Drumlanrig. I was detained until late waiting
for the person I wished to see, and it was after ten
o'clock before I left my friend's house for my return
journey to Sanquhar. It was in the back-end of
autumn, and a fine, calm night, so that I enjoyed,
rather than otherwise, the prospect of the eight miles
walk home. When I had reached Glenairlie Bridge
the moon had fully risen, enabling me to obtain a fair
view of the surroundings. Passing Lower Dalpeddar
and beginning the ascent of the rising ground between
there and Lady Hebron, I had turned a bend of the
road that enabled me to see a considerable way in

71

front. Judge of my astomshment when, near to the
noted tree, and right in the middle of the road and
coming towards me, I saw a tall lady dressed all in
white. My first impression was anything but pleasant,
for I had long known the uncanny tale told of the
spot. However, I thought, if spirit it is, it will be
useless trying to evade it. I accordingly determined
to face it, taking a firmer grip of the oak staff I
carried. Her ladyship came slowly on, and as we
passed each other I observed that " it was a nice, calm
night." Her ghostship, however, made no answer.
Whether this was Lady Hebron's ghost or not I never
could learn. At all events she did not interfere with
me. When she had passed I turned round and
watched her until she was out of sight. I noticed
that her dress consisted of a white gown, but I could
not see her face, which was hidden by a large white
sun-bonnet. A few days after, this time in good day-
light, I had occasion to be again on the same road. I
made inquiries at most of the people who dwelt in the
neighbourhood, but no one could give me the least
information who the lady in white was, other than a
guess that if it was not Lady Hebron it must have
been a poacher. I was told that some poachers had
been in the neighbourhood, and it was just probable
the " ghost ' ' was there to distract the attention of
the gamekeepers or fear them away. But this is only
a surmise, and for aught I know the white lady may
have been the veritable Lady Hebron.

WEIRD STORIES OF THE BANK
WOOD, KIRKCONNEL

FAIRIES OF POLVEOCH.

The Bank Wood, near Kirkconnel, has for genera-
tions had the reputation of being haunted. It is a
strip of natural wood on the left bank of the Nith
about half-a-mile south of Eirkconnel village, and,
previous to the making of the railway, was the terror
of all travellers who were obliged to pass through it
after nightfall. Then the growth of trees was much
thicker and closer than is now the case; the road went
right through the centre of the wood, and on a dark
night it was anything but a pleasant place. Gases of
highway robbery were frequent there, and it is even
whispered that darker deeds were more than once per-
petrated within its shades. An evil place at night,
the Bank Wood in those days was even shunned in
broad daylight; its closely set underwood afforded
sheltei" and hiding to tramps and bad characters, of
whom, then as now, too many were going about. I shall
recall some of the stories concerning the Bank Wood
current when I was a boy.

A resident of Kirkconnel one day went into the
wood to cut down a tree for firewood. He was just
about to begin his task, when, suddenly and without

74

wamingy a black man started up as if from the earth,
and, placing his hand on the tree, plainly showed by
gestures that the work of destruction would not be
allowed to proceed. Terrified at the apparition, for
such he judged it, the woodman desisted, and hurried
oft home as quick as his legs could carry him. The
tree was spared, and that in a way that all the
eloquence of the poet in the old song could not have
effected.

A man named M'Gall, who lived at the farm ot
Eastside, close by, was in the habit of going into the
wood for private prayer. Ofttimes he was disturbed
by a large black hand being laid upon him; but,
strong in his trust in the Almighty, he continued his
supplications with renewed earnestness, and always
compelled his adversary to withdraw.

One dark night a man was on his way from Kirk-
connel to Sanquhar. He had crossed Polveoch Bum
and reached the middle of the wood when he heard a
sound as if a carriage and pair were coming down the
road behind him, at what he termed an easy trot. He
continued walking on, till the sound came so near that
he could plainly hear the breathing of the horses and
the creaking of the harness; and, thinking the equi-
page would be immediately on him, he stepped to the
roadside to allow it to pass. He then looked round,
but to his amazement he saw nothing, nor did he again
hear a sound. All around was still. No carriage
or vehicle of any kind passed him on his way to Sanqu-
har, and no one, he afterwards learned, had seen one
pass through Kirkconnel that night. This occurred
about sixty years ago. Similar mysterious noises have
been heard from time to time in the wood by other

75

individuals, and a clanking sound as if heavy chains
were being dragged about has also been heard.

The devil, in different forms and disguises, is said to
have been seen in the Bank Wood, and on stormy
nights was wont to sit on the rock at Doddocrae play-
ing the bagpipes. Accidents have been frequent in
this neighbourhood, and, rightly or wrongly, the devil
has been blamed for having a share in some of them.
A farmer and his wife were driving home from Sanqu*
har; when near Doddocrae the horse took fright,
bolted, and upset the gig, killing the wife. The devil
got the blame of this. It was said that it was his
Satanic Majesty who had frightened the horse. I can
remember three men being killed on the railway here.

The braes of Polveoch, at the west end of the Bank
Wood, was a favourite trysting place of the fairies.
Here the good little folks assembled on May Day to
celebrate the advent of summer; contingents came in
from Kello Water, Glen Aylmer, and Glen Wharry,
and when aU had gathered together they rode merrily
over the knowes towards the Bale Hill, in whose sun-
ward slope a beauteous doorway was said to open for
them, which they entered two at a time, the green turf
closing over the last pair to get in. Hallowe'en was
another of their gala nights.

It is related that one Hallowe'en two farm servants,
while on their way to Todholes to see their sweet-
hearts, heard sounds of most enchanting music issuing
from Polveoch Burn. Turning aside to discover from
whence it came, they were astonished to see in a green
opening among the trees a company of fairies, male
and female, dancing to a band of pipers. All were
dressed in the most elegant style, and their delicate
little bodies swirled round in a fashion that quite

76

entranced the awestmck swains. One, however,
thought the strange sight could hode no good, and he
beat a hasty retreat, leaving his companion gazing
admiringly on the dazzling show. Long he stood and
feasted his eyes and ears on the exquisite scene and the
delicious melody, when, his presence being discovered
by one of the company, he was invited to take part
in the dance, and presented with fruit and wine. He
daringly accepted; the refreshments seemed to put a
new life into him, and he joined in the dance with
the mosjb lively spirit, acquitting himself so well that
he was made quite a hero by the little ladies in green,
who did all in their power to make him enjoy himself.
To drink of the fairies' wine was to lose all calciila-
tion of time, and twelve months went round and found
the young fellow still enjoying himself with the wee
folks. On Hallowe'en following he was found at the
same place by his companion, who, refusing a drink
that was proffered him, gave offence to the fairies,
and, dragging hold of his friend, pulled him away,
and broke the spell that bound him. He could
scarcely believe he had been twelve months with the
fairies, and said the time only seemed like an hour or
two. Ever afterwards he was endowed with second
sight.

Such are the stories still clinging round Polveoch
Burn. They were eagerly listened to, and believed
in by our forebears in the olden days; and such a
belief existed in the fairies' power and influence over
mortals that the greatest possible care was taken not
to give them offence in any way. Hence they were
always spoken of with respect, and in a kindly
manner termed the '' good little folks," a practice I
see no harm in continuing.

WRAITHS.

Wraiths differ from ghosts in that they are appari-
tions in the likeness of persons still living, and are
supposed to be seen either at the time of the death
of the persons whose likenesses are seen or immedi-
ately before. Some strange stories conld be told of
these m3r8terious appearances. The following are
are well authenticated cases.

When Dr Simpson was alive one of his most
regular attenders in the North U.P. Church,
Sanquhar, was a miner of the name of Joseph
Black, who resided at Grievehill, near New Cumnock.
Black was a great admirer of the Doctor, and, not-
withstanding the fact that going and returning from
his home to the church entailed a walk of close upon
twenty miles, his seat in church was seldom empty.
He generally attended both the forenoon and evening
services, so that his homeward journey was nearly
always performed in the dark. On the last occasion
on which he was privileged to listen to Dr Simpson,
he waited for the evening service, and at its con-
clusion set out for home. The greater part of his
way was by the public road; it was a fine moonlight
night, and all went well with him for the first two

78

miles; but after he had passed the farm of Gateside,
and was nearing what was known as the " Brunt
Houses" (near Wellstrand), he became aware of a
man, or rather the likeness of a man, walking along-
side of him; he had not noticed his approach, nor did
he hear any footsteps, and the apparition moved along
with a mysterious gliding motion. Black at first
thought it must be his own shadpw, but a moment was
sufficient to show that it could not be so, as the
mysterious personage was betwixt himself and the
moon. Although alarmed at being in such strange
company, he did not lose his presence of mind, but
observed that the figure was the exact counterpart of
himself in size, build, and dress, even to the bonnet and
plaid. This apparition continued to accompany him
as far as the Bank Wood, when it disappeared as un-
accountably as it came, and without having spoken or
made a sound or sign of any kind.

Joseph, although alarmed, continued his journey,
and, arriving home safely, told his wife about the
strange likeness of himself that had convoyed him part
of the way. The couple then had supper, and went' to
bed, but were only a short while asleep when they were
hurriedly awakened by a loud crash, as if a part of the
house had fallen down. They got up in great alarm,
and looked all over the place, but could see nothing
amiss nor anything that could in any way account for
the noise. The house in which they lived consisted of
a single apartment, with two built-in beds, and was
furnished as working people's homes generally are,
with tables, chairs, cupboard, and delf rack. After
examining the house inside and out, and finding
nothing wrong, they returned to their bed, hoping to
be no more disturbed. They had not yet fallen asleep

79

when another crash came, this time as if cupboard and
delf rack, with all the crockery in the house, had been
dashed on the middle of the floor. Again getting up
and striking a light, they were more than ever amazed
to find everything in its proper place, nothing had
been touched, and although another search round was
made, no clue could be found. It being now close on
their usual rising time, Joseph and his wife did not go
back to bed, but partook of some breakfast together,
and after setting up a word of prayer, he went out to
his daily toil. The place Black worked at was entered
by a "level,'' and there being no mining regulations
in those days, the miners could go to and from their
work as best suited themselves. Joseph Black had got
to his place all right, and made a commencement with
his work, when he was suddenly buried under a heavy
fall from the roof, and in a condition more dead than
alive, he was discovered later on in the morning by the
man who wrought next to him. When he was taken
out, it was found that his back was broken, and he
lived only a short time. His widow talked often of
her husband having walked with his own wraith, and
of the mysterious noises heard on the eve of her
bereavement.

The late Peter Hastie, who lived in the Lochan,
Sanquhar, told me of a remarkable apparition which
he saw when he was a youth. He said he was brought
up in the village of Kirkconnel, and that he had as a
school companion a lad named Thomas Blacklock, who,
like himself, was put to farm service after leaving the
schoolmaster's hands, Blacklock to the farm of Nether
Cairn and Peter to Kelloside, a distance of about three
miles separating the places. One day in the spring of
the year Peter was engaged in carting manure from the

80

farm steading to one of the fields near the public road,
and about one o'clock, when he was going with his first
load after dinner, he saw^ just before he reached the
gate, his friend, Thomas Blacklock, coming down the
road to meet him, which made him wonder what could
be bringing him there at that time of day. Being by
this time at the gate leading into the field, Peter
caught hold of the bridle to lead in, but the beast was
startled at something; one of the wheels struck the
gate post, upsetting the cart, and Peter had a narrow
escape of it falling on him. The people in the field,
seeing his predicament, ran to his assistance, and
quickly put things to rights. His friend, Blacklock,
however, instead of lending his help, stood quietly
looking on, a proceeding, or lack of action rather, that
Peter could not reconcile with his views of friendship,
but being busy at the time, he only gave the matter a
passing thought. On all being put straight he looked
round for his old friend, but he was nowhere to be
seen, nor had any of the field workers seen Blacklock.
That evening when returning from their day's darg,
Peter and his fellow-servants were met by a man
belonging to the Cairn, who told them that that day
about one o'clock Thomas Blacklock had been acci-
dentally killed. It appears that at Nether Cairn
Blacklock had, like his friend, been carting manure.
He had taken one load after his dinner, and was in the
act of returning, sitting in the empty cart, when the
horse took fright, ran away, and threw him out. His
head struck a large stone, and he was killed on the
spot. The time of Thomas Blacklock's tragic death
corresponded exactly with the time Peter Hastie saw
the appearance of his old companion, and when he
himself had had an accident to his own cart.

81

William M'Cririck and William Cunningham wei'e
tradesmen in Sanquhar; they had known each other
for many years, had much in common, were fast
friends, and for years had made it their daily custom
to have an after-dinner walk together, the Braeheads
and Nithside being their favourite stroll. Seldom
was the one seen out in the afternoon without the
other, and only inclemency of weather prevented their
daily walk. At last Cunningham fell ill, and was con-
fined to bed. His old friend M'Cririck was forced to
have his walks alone, but each day on returning from
his constitutional, he called to see Cunningham, who,
however, made no improvement; he gradually got
worse, and no hopes were held forth of his recovery.
This had gone on for a few days. M'Cririck had been
round the Braeheads, and at the south corner, where
the Castle holm opens out, had stopped to admire the
prospect down the valley. What was his surprise to
see Cunningham by the waterside below him, sitting
on the bank near the little pool known as the
"Cradle." Unable to account for such an unexpected
situation, he hurried down the steep declivity, and
made towards his friend, who continued sitting in char-
acteristic position, with snuff box on his knee, until
when he came within twelve yards or so of him, the
apparition, for so it was, vanished. M'Cririck was
amazed, and something told him that his friend was
dead. He speedily returned to the town by way of the
"Hedgeside" path (alas! the hedge is now no more),
and, on rounding the corner at the Council House, was
met by a fellow-townsman, who informed him that
William Cunningham had only a few minutes pre-
viously expired. At the exact time William M'Cririck
had seen the appearance of Cunningham by the water
side, the soul of his old friend was drifting into the
great beyond. 6

LAGMINNAN'S WAKE.

In the bleak upland district between Sanquhar and
Moirkirk there stood about a hundred and sixty years
ago, midway between the ancient burgh and the
"Church in the Moors/' the shieling of Lagminnan.
It occupied a lonely spot among the dreary, uninviting
hills, and was far removed from all other human abode.
The dwelling consisted of a humble " but and ben/'
and was a very unpretentious building. Its walls
were built of rough whinstones, dug from the hillside,
while the roof was formed of trees, cut from the neigh-
bouring woods, thatched with heather, of which there
was abundance on every side, and ridged with tough
bent divots. Of the two apartments the larger was
used as the kitchen— a commodious room with built-in
bed, meal awmrie, delf rack, lang settle, and other rude
but substantial furnishings; the fireplace was in the
middle of the floor, the smoke from which hung lazily
overhead, and struggling among the rafters effectually
'^reistit" the hams hung therefrom, finally making its
escape to the open air through a hole in the thatch,
which served the purpose of a chimney. The gude-
man, or as he was familiarly styled, "Lagminnan"
(whether he was laird or tenant I have never been able
to ascertain), was born here, as had been his father

84

before him; he spent the whole of his long life among
his native hills, and had never wandered above a score
of miles from his home. Here he grew from youth to
age, if not a reverend hermit, at least a canny old
bachelor. His only companions were his housekeeper ,
Marjory, nearly as old as himself, two collie dogs
which assisted him to take care of his stock, two cows,
a stirk, a score of sheep, and a couple of pet lambs, all
of which occupied the b3rre and outhouse that stood at
the end of his dwelling. These comprised the sum
total of man and beast at Lagminnan, where things
had jogged on in a quiet, steady way for many years.
At the time I speak of Lagminnan had the weight of
four-score years upon him; his tall form had become
bent and his step feeble, and at length he went the
way of all flesh, greatly to the grief of his faithful old
housekeeper. All his friends having predeceased him,
Marjory was the only one left to mourn his loss. On
hearing of the death of the gudeman, a number of
young men and women from the neighbouring cottages
repaired to Lagminnan to keep the old woman com-
pany, and " wake " the corpse, which was done by sit-
ting in the room where the body lay, night and day,
until the funeral took place. On the first two nights
things went smoothly enough; the housekeeper retired
to rest, and several girls kept watch by the side of the
corpse till morning; but on the night before the
funeral old Marjory went to the house of a neighbour,
leaving the body of her master in charge of six or
eight young women. She had not long departed before
an equal number of young men put in an appearance.
They brought with them a plentiful supply of whisky
and other good things with which to beguile the long
hours of the night. Soon the glass and song went

85

merrily round, until the " mirth and fun grew fast and
furious." A dance was proposed, and as readily
agreed to; and being supplied with music of some sort,
at it they went. But when their fun and frolic was
at its height, awful to relate, a dreadful thing hap-
pened — the gudeman, dressed in his grave clothes,
sprang out of the bed, and, with his glassy eyes staring
at the revellers, stood leaning against the stock. Had
a thunderbolt or a bomb-shell fallen in their midst it
could not have caused greater consternation; terror
seized every man and woman present, and it being a
case of " deil tak' the hinmost," a mad rush was made
for the outside. The bed in which the corpse had
lain was close to the door, and as each individual made
his or her exit it was with a bound and yell, all being
terrified lest the dead man should clutch and devour
them. When they did get outside most of them ran
without stopping till they reached their own homes,
where they told of the awful thing that had happened
at Lagminnan. Soon the whole countryside was made
aware of the startling occurrence, and by break of day
a large number of persons gathered at a short distance
from the house, none having courage enough to enter
it. Broad daylight, however, often dispels many a
strange thing seen in the dark; and when the sun was
well up in the east several of the more courageous
ventured forward to the house, and looked in at the
window. There they saw the corpse standing with its
feet on the floor, leaning against the bed stock in the
exact position it occupied when the revellers beat their
hurried retreat. Long they looked and watched; but
the dead man still kept his ground, never moving a
muscle; and at last two or three of the boldest ven-
tured inside, and on making an inspection saw how

86

the whole thing had happened. The bed where the
corpse was laid was low and supported by rungs. A
large dog which accompanied one of the young men
had crawled under it and fallen asleep, when, being
awakened suddenly by the noise of the dancers, it
arose to its full height, and being a powerful animal,
it lifted up the bed on its back, the corpse swayed
over the side, the feet came to the floor, and the body
being stifP, there it stood. Things were soon put to
rights, and old Lagminnan was decently kisted, and
as decently buried beside his fathers in the old kirk-
yard of Kirkconnel in Glen Aylmer. The story of
Lagminnan 's wake was the cause of many a hearty
laugh for many a day.

WILLIE DALYELL, THE SANQUHAR

MUNCHAUSEN.

SOME OP HIS WONDERFUL EXPLOITS.

Willie Dalyell was a queer old character who died in
Sanquhar over sixty years ago. He lived in a small
thatched house at Sanquhar Townfoot, nearly opposite
the entrance to the Castle, and there carried on the
trade of a cooper, at which he had wrought and carried
on husiness in a small way for many years. He was,
or claimed to be, connected with the ancient Dalyells
of Eliock, and often boasted of the high relationship;
but, as I will show, his imaginary and narrative powers
were likewise of a high order. In personal appearance
he was a short, stout-made man, scarcely reaching £ve
feet in height, but very broad across the shoulders;
with a blythe countenance there was a cheery tempera-
ment and a warm and sympathetic heart, which, with
his droll remarks and wonderful stories, made him a
favourite wherever he went. His dress was as re-
markable as his acts were eccentric. He wore straight
shoes, very broad at the toes, knee-breeches, rig-and-
fur stockings, a long red waistcoat with pocket lids, a
wide square skirted coat which reached to the calf of
his legs, and a broad-rimmed Elilmarnock bonnet with
a red tappen. Willie was never married. His
mother, a widow, to whom he was greatly attached,
kept house for him, and after her death he lived by

88

himself. His afPection for his mother waa on one
occasion exhibited in a remarkable manner. It was in
the early years of the last century, and at this time
the water of Moffat Well was highly spoken of for its
healing virtues. To Willie it appeared to be the very
elixir of life; if he could only get his mother to Moffat,
there to get a drink of the wonderful waters, she would
be restored to her former health and strength. But
how was he to get her there? The distance was about
thirty miles over a rough winding road among the high
hills of Mennock and the upper reaches of the Clyde,
and very seldom was there the chance of a cart going
all the way. Being too poor to pay for a conveyance,
the prospect of the long tramp with an aged parent
might be supposed to have deterred Willie from giving
thought about the journey; but he was made of stuff
that was not to be stopped by trifles. He did what
perhaps no other man either before or since has done.
He borrowed a stout wheel-barrow, placed his mother
in it, and, wheeling her every foot of the way to
Moffat, got her a drink of the well water, and trundled
her back again. Unfortunately, all Willie's labour
was in vain, for soon after this illustration of filial re-
gard his mother went the way of all flesh.

To the day of his own death Willie never ceased to
bewail the death of his mother.

Willie continued, as I have stated, to live by himself,
and his house for years was the resort of the young
lads of Sanquhar, who used to gather round his Are in
the winter evenings, listening to his stories — for he was
a great story-teller, or rather, romancer — in all of
which he himself figured as hero of many wonderful
exploits of no reality whatever, but simply the outcome

89

of his own fertile brain. I will recall those of his
stories that I can remember best.

At one time of his life Willie had lived for a short
time in the city of Glasgow; and wonderful were the
stories of his doings there, of which the following is a
specimen : — " A fire broke oot in the Trongate that
raged wi' sic fury that the whole city was in danger of
being destroyed. The toon's fowk were dang stupid,
and did'na ken what to do, and were just standin'
lookin' at it; but I never lost presence o' mind on any
occasion. I kenned where a lang ladder was lyin',
and, being young and strong in thae days, I went and
brocht it mysel'. I placed the ladder against the
burnin' house, called on the people to get stoups and
cans of water, and hand them to me, which they did,
and I ran through the fire and smoke, here and there
pourin' on water until the fire was oot; but it was a
gey job, the hair o' my heid and whiskers was singed
off, and every bit o' me as black as a sweep. When
I cam doon the ladder the Lord Provost cam forrit
and thanked me, and told the inhabitants around that,
'but for the exertions of Mr William Dalyell, a brave
young fellow from Sanquhar, the whole of the city
would have been laid in ashes.' O, if ye had jist
heard the cheerin' I got. Then four stout fellows
picked me up on their shouthers and carried me three
times round the Cross, cheerin' a' the time. I can
tell ye I was a proud man that day."

The conversation one night was upon shooting.
"Ah, lads," said Willie, "when I was a young man
few could come up to me wi' the gun. Mony a braw
paitrick, whaup, an' wil' deuk hae I brocht doon, to
say naething aboot an odd maukin noo an' than; aye,
an' whiles a braw deer forbye. Ae day I was up on

90

the mvaXf at the Black Loch, on the look oot for a deuk
for the Sabbath day's denner. There war a gude
wheen soomin' amang the rashies, an' I was jist gettin'
my fowlin' piece primed an' drivin' hame the chairge
wi' the ramrod, whan, a' at ance, something gied the
deuks a fear, an' up the hail o' them flew. I had nae
time to draw oot the rod, but I up wi' the gun to my
shouder, an' takin' a gude vizzie alang the barrel, I
let fire. Man, boys, what dae ye think? The ram-
rod gaed clean through sax o' the deuks, an' brocht
them doon to my feet — hauf-a-dizzen as bonnie birds
as a body could desire, an' a' ready skewered for takin'
hame."

On another occasion, during the winter season, the
severity of the frost was under discussion. It had
been freezing hard for many days, and outdoor work
was entirely at a stand-still. But in Willie Dalyell's
experience this frost was of small account. When he
was young there were frosts that were worth speaking
about. " Ae winter," he said, "it had been freezin'
hard for weeks on en'. There was naething gaun on
but playing at the channel stanes frae mornin' till nicht.
I took a dauner ae day doon the road as far as
Da'pether, an' comin' back, thocht I wad tak' to the
water instead o' the turnpike road. Sae I got on to
Nith at the fit o' Mennock, an', walkin' on a bit,
observed a hole in the ice. Lookin' doon I could see
that the water was a' dried up, so I got in ablow the
ice, an' was able to walk dry shod a' the wey frae
Eliock Brig to the King's Scaur wi' the daylicht
shinin' through the ice abune my heid. Man, boys,
we had something like frost in the winters lang syne."

Willie was fond of fishing, and one night his audi-
ence was talking about a big salmon that that day had

91

been taken oat of the Nith. '* Ay/' said Willie,
''when I was a yonng fellow I was a great hand at
stickin' salmon. Mony a braw fish I hae brocht oot
o' Nith, and whiles when the water was just heavy
enench; but I was never feared, and I aye dashed in
if there was a chance at a'. I min' ae nicht I got
word of a most tremendous big fish that was in the
stream abune the Eling's Scaur. Some o' the crack
ban's had seen't, but it was sic a monster o' a fish, they
were fear't to tackle it. Ane o' them remarked that
if Willie Dalyell didna try to catch 't he didna ken a
man in the parish that would dare to encounter it.
Noo it happened very fortunately that I had just got
a new leister, made o' the best steel Deacon Rigg o'
Crawick Forge could produce, an' I gaed away up
Euchan and cut a splendid shank for it. It was gude
Baugh, wi' a fine spring. Sae off I set to the water, wi'
the leister o'er my shouther. Twae or three men cam
alang wi' me. Johnnie M'Kenrick had prepared a
first rate licht, and it wasna' lang till we arrived at
the stream an' kindled our torch. I sune got my e'e
on the salmon. I can tell ye, lads, he was a whupper.
I hae seen mony big fish in my time, but no ane fit to
be compared wi' it. But, deil may care, I was deter-
mined to sen' my leister intil 'im. I had a gude bit
to wade, an' the water was middlin' heavy, but I tauld
M'Kenrick to attend to the licht, and in I went; for
naething feared me in thae days. The salmon was
lyin' in a gude position. I had a splendid chance, so
I up wi' the leister and struck wi' a' the force I could.
But the fish gied a spring that sent me heels o'er heid,
an' by the time I got up and had the water dichted
oot o' my een, I could just see the shank o' the leister
stan'in' on en as it stuck in the salmon's back, gaun

92

doon the pool like five ell o' win' till I lost sicht o't in
the darkness. Man, I can tell ye, I cam' hame that
nicht gey dumpit, no' only at losin' the biggest fish
that was ever seen in Nith, but my gude new leister
alang wi't."

" In the winter nichts when I'm no very thrang ither-
wise I hae aye made a gude wheen potato mawns, an'
ae day aboot the back en' o' the year after this, I ran
oot o' wands to finish some mawns I was engaged wi'
at the time. So off I set to the Willow Pool to see an'
get what I required. As I got near the water I was
surprised to see a fine bunch o' willows growin' quite
near the waterside, an' I wondered hoo I had missed
seein' them there afore. However, I was glad o' them,
and I stepped into the middle o' the bush an' began
cuttin'. A' at ance I felt something extraordinary
disturbin' the bush, an' the roots o't seemed to be gien
way aneath my feet. On examination I fand it was
the big salmon that I had tried to get the year before.
It had got stranded among some tree roots. The leister
was still stickin' in its back, and the saugh handle had
sprouted and grown a fine crop o' wands that served
me to make baskets for mony a day! Ay, lads, I was
a leish chap in thae days, but I'm gettin' auld noo."

Although it is long since Willie Dalyell passed away,
his stories are often told and laughed over by the older
people of Sanquhar. The inside of his house was a
study for the antiquary, being filled with many an old
and curious relic, which brought a high price at the
roup after his death, as many persons were desirous of
possessing something as a memento of the queer old
man.

Drawers of the " long bow " there have been many in
Sanquhar since, but none who could come up to the
artistic skill of Willie Dalyell.

"DOCTOR" ALISON AND HIS

WIFE MEG.

A CURIOUS COUPLE.

A curious pair of worthies were Rob Alison and his
wife, Meg M*Call, and concerning them many a droll
story is told. Rob, when a young man, had served in
the Royal Navy, and had fought with Rodney at Cape
St. Vincent, and been present at other engagements.
On receiving his discharge, he took up his abode in his
native burgh, married Meg M'Call, and, having been
apprenticed to the shoemaking in his younger days, set
up business as a cobbler. He also professed to cure
the diseases of swine, and on account of his talent in
this direction, he was dubbed " The Doctor," a title of
which he was rather proud. He was well known all
over the district, and, like Willie Dalyell, was a noted
story-teller. While his hands were busily employed
patching a pair of bauchles, he was wont to dilate upon
the wonders he had seen on foreign shores, and the part
he had taken in the wars against the French, and
Spaniards; and his workshop was the nightly haunt of
the youth of the town, who greatly enjoyed an hour's

94

crack with the old veteran. Some wag or other had
said that at the battle of Cape St. Vincent "The
Doctor" had hid in one of the ship's coppers. Although
usually of a quiet, good-natured disposition, this was an
impeachment he could not stand — his blood rebelled at
the name of coward ; and, knowing how to provoke him,
the boys when on for a bit of fun would sadly torment
him by going to his door and shouting, " Copper
Kettle *' and other nicknames. On these occasions it
did not matter how he was engaged, everything was
thrown aside, and he after the boys, flinging after them
lapstone, hammer, or whatever flrst came to his hand.

"The Doctor" was a regular attender at all the
funerals in the district; invited or not, wet or dry, he
was sure to be there. His presence on these solemn
occasions was not so much to show respect to the
departed as to partake of the refreshments that at these
times were liberally dispensed, and no funeral was worth
speaking about if he did not get himself roarin' fou'.
" The Doctor's " partiality for funerals was well known,
and he was occasionally made the subject of a hoax by
being invited to witness the interment of some person
not dead, so that more than once Bob received a shock
by meeting on the road the party he had gone to bury.
But a change took place. The unseemly doings that
occurred only too frequently at funerals called' for in-
tervention, and a public meeting was held in the
Council House, at which it was agreed to do away with
the entertainment, excepting only one round at the
lifting and another when returning from the kirkyard.
This arrangement sorely displeased " The Doctor," who,
being invited to a funeral a few days afterwards, looked
sternly at the person inviting him, and said — " Wha
the deil do ye think's gaun to change their claes for

95

only twae glass o' whusky? They may keep her till
she rot for me." And it is said that he rarely, if ever,
-was seen at any funeral afterwards.

Meg, the wife, was one of those that are known as the
" nnco guid ** — a race not yet quite extinct; and was as
strange a compound of ignorance, superstition, and
hypocrisy as was possible to be found. A firm believer
in ghosts, fairies, brownies, and sic like — " Had she no'
seen wi' her ain leevin' een wraiths, aye, an' heard the
death warnin's o' mony a ane o' her neibours an'
acquaintances?" On one occasion she remarked to one
of her cronies — " Hech, sirs, he's an unco chiel the deil ;
there's no a lazy inch in him, deed no. He'll be here
like the noo; aye, an' he'll be in Glescae in a meenit,
awa' to America in a moment, an' be at the Shiel in
Scaur Water afore breakfast time."

Meg was a regular attender at the congregation of
Mr Andrew Thomson, the anti-Burgher minister (the
grandfather of the talented Dr Andrew Thomson,
Broughton Pla<;e, Edinburgh), whose place of worship
was familiarly styled as the meeting-house " doon-the-
gate." At that time Mr Thomson (father of the well-
known Dr Andrew Thomson, of St .George's Edin-
burgh) was parish minister, and lived at Blackaddie,
which at that time was the Parish Kirk Manse. When
praying for her minister, Meg was afraid that a mistake
might happen, and the benefit of her supplications go
to the wrong man, so she put in this caution — " Noo,
min'. Lord, it's no Maister Thamson at the water side,
but oor ain gude an' godly Maister Thamson doon the
gate.'^' When at her prayers Meg did not enter into
her closet, but spake with a loud voice and with the
door open, so that all might know of her piety. At
another time a part of her prayer was — " Lord, come

96

into oor door; dinna' gang intil George Howat's. Oh,
make oor tatties grow, an' make oor cabbage stocks
great big anes, every ane big eneuch to fill the muckle
pat. Dinna' make Willie Simson's grow." Meg,
decent woman, was often sorely distressed that ** The
Doctor," her husband, did not take to the ways of
holiness, and one Fast Day morning, after giving vent
to her feelings in a verse or two of a psalm, was heard
saying, " Come away. Bob, an' tak' the Book, sing loud
an' sing bonnie, ye auld ungodly wretch. Hear hoo
that gude, godly beast, the cat, hoo it sings." Bob, to
whom Fast Days made no difference, being anxious at
his work, looked up, swore a few oaths, and still worked
away. Meg could make no impression on " The
Doctor."

Such are a few of the stories told of this curious
couple, who, both died somewhere in the twenties of
last century. It is to be hoped that before leaving
this world ''The Doctor" had seen the error of his
ways, and that Meg had learned that true religion does
not consist of psalm-singing and long Pharisaical
prayers.

EVIL SPIRITS AT THE WARLD'S EN'.

The " Warld's En' " was the name given to a row
of cottages that for generations had stood at the west
end of Sanquhar, beyond the Lochan. All now are
swept away; the last, which for years stood alone»
having to give room for Rose Cottage, the handsome
dwelling erected some years ago by Mr Alexander
Williamson. The cottages were humble dwellings, one
storey high, with thatched roofs, each separate abode
consisting of a but and ben; and, with a flourishing
growth of roses, convolvuli, and other flowers in front
of the doors, it was a bonnie place. It is so yet, for
perhaps the finest bloom in Sanquhar ¥rill be found
at Rose Cottage. The Warld's En' no doubt received
its pectdiar title from its position as the " ultima
thule " of Sanquhar town; and regarding its cognomen
a story is told of Mr Ranken, a former parish minister,
who, in announcing from the pulpit the order of his
yearly catechising visitations, would intimate that he
would commence first in one place, then in another,
and finish at the Warld's En', certainly an appro-
priate place for a winding-up.

Many years ago there lived at the Warld's En' an
old weaver named George Ingram and his wife Violet.
Of the two apartments of which the cottage consisted,

7

98

one was used as a living room^ while the other was the
workshop, and was occupied by George's handloom;
and, steady, industrious man, the cheery click of his
shuttle could be heard all day long. George was a
man of striking appearance* tall and well-built, and in
his youth must have possessed considerable strength;
but sixty years ago, the time of which I write, his
frame was bent by the weight of years, and

" His few remaining hairs were silver grey«
And his rough face had seen a better day."

He was a man of strong religious tendencies, and one
of whom it might justly be said, "He feared God and
eschewed all evil." Altogether he was an intelligent
man, a strong Radical, and a firm anti-burgher. His
wife, Violet Hislop, was a native of Scaur Water, where
her forefathers had been shepherds for many genera-
tions; and she often told with a pardonable pride of
the hairbreadth escapes and the troubles and trials
endured by her Covenanting ancestry during the per-
secuting times; and she was in every way worthy of
being the daughter of such sires. Notwithstanding all
this, George and his wife were very superstitious, and
their belief in things uncanny seemed to get stronger
the older they grew. George himself had often en-
countered the great enemy of mankind and other imps
of darkness. Often while engaged at his work they
would disarrange his heddl^s, and put his warp into
disorder, or pull his apron or sometimes pluck at his
hair, which protruded from beneath his red Kilmarnock
night-cap like a fringe of silver. In the last web of
cleading h? had wrought for the gudeman of Bogsprack
the pattern had been altered three times, and many
other things were done which could only be accom-
plished by the powers of evil. His cottage, too, was

99

only a gunshot from the " Fairy Knowe," the green
hillock overlooking the "Waird/' where the litUe
folks, whose name it bears, were wont to gambol
amongst the waving broom bushes which then covered
its sides. On Hallowe'en and Beltane nights the fairies
wiled away the townsfolks' cats, which they trans-
formed into little steeds to ride on in their grand pro-
cessions. George and his wife had seen them, and had
heard many strange sounds and seen other wondrous
sights at the Fairy Knowe. As I said before, George
was now old, and not so well able for his work as he
had been; he had often to leave his loom and rest him-
self, which he did by sitting with a leg on each side
of the little fireplace, with his elbows on his knees, and
his head resting on his hands, and in this position he
would sometimes dose for an hour at a time.

Now at this time there were two ill-trickie 'prentice
lads in Sanquhar — Tam Simson and John Hislop, or
"Pat," as he was commonly called. Tam was serving
his time at the shoemaking, and Pat was learning the
weaving trade. The two lads were close companions,
fond of fun and practical joking, and were seldom long
together but they were either studying some fresh
piece of waggery, or in hands with some previously-
contrived piece of mischief. Their tricks were well
planned, and as cleverly executed, so that every now
and then the good people of the burgh were amused at
some prank or other of the worthy pair. They were
in no way particular about the person upon whom they
operated, and, when opportunity offered, would play a
trick upon their own fathers as fast as on any others.
They were often incurring the displeasure of someone or
other, but this anger never lasted long, as their tricks
were mostly of a harmless nature, and if a person did

100

•offer from their handSy he in a short time was sure to
see some neighbour in as ridiculous a position as he
himself had been.

Tam and Pat were both well acquainted with George
Ingram's habits and peculiarities, and laid their plans
accordingly. One day while the old man was taking
his siesta, Tam got a long string with a hook tied to
the end of it, climbed up to the roof of the cottage,
and lowered it down the chimney. Pat meanwhile
slipped cautiously in at the door, and attached the
hook to George's night-cap, then gently withdrew.
When all was ready, Pat threw a handful of peas
against the window. George, thus suddenly awakened,
got up to investigate the cause, and, on making way
to the door, was further shocked by having his night-
cap whipped off his head, and seeing it disappear up
the lum. Beyond a doubt there were demons at work.
"Violet, Violet!" he shouted, "there is an evil spirit
in the house." And hurrying ben to see what was the
matter, Violet found her husband gazing at the fire-
place, the very image of perplexity and terror, his eyes
staring as if they would leap from their sockets.
" Wi', what ails ye ava, George?" she queried, almost
as bewildered as he was himself. " Dreadfu' be't,"
said he, "the powers of evil are about," and then told
her how, while he was sitting by the fire, one of Satan's
imps took off his night-cap and flew up the lum with
it. Violet, although not so certain as her spouse that
the powers of darkness had to do with this strange
affair, went outside and had a look round, but no
one was in sight. She went round to the back of the
house, and there she found the Kilmarnock all covered
with soot, which convinced her without doubt that
either the deil or one of his emissaries had played this

101

prank upon her husband. Tam and Pat were secret
witnesses of the scene, and hugely enjoyed the joke.
The night-cap was cleaned, but George would never
again wear it. After being, as he thought, in such
unhallowed hands, he would not even touch it.

The old couple at another time were the victims of
another ridiculous hoax. George was getting a suit of
new clothes made, and, as was common in those days,
had the tailors in his house making them, " whippin'
the cat," as it was called. Thomas Broadfoot and his
apprentice were the employed. Violet gave the tailors
a good breakfast of ham and eggs, tea and toast. The
dinner was as substantial as the breakfast; but for
the supper each was served with a bowl of sowens,
much to the disgust of the apprentice, who loved more
solid feeding, so he determined that he would have
something better next night, if he possibly could, and
with this view he prepared himself. The food
supplied next day was pretty much the same as that
before both at breakfast and dinner, and as it drew
near supper time, the pot and the sowens were once
more put on the fire. Watching his opportunity, the
apprentice slyly slipped into the pot a piece of alum
or some other ingredient he had prepared. In a short
time the contents of the pot began to boil, and as it
boiled it frothed up in a most unusual fashion and
run over, and continued doing so while Violet ladled
it out, filling several dishes. George by this time had
come ben from his work, and wondering at the over-
flowing pot, exclaimed — " Violet, I think there is a
blessing in the pot; it's like the widow's cruize of oil;
all that is taken out never makes it any less." At length
the pot boiled dry; there were no sowens that night.
In their place was set forth a more palatable and

102

•atiflfying meal, more to the liking of the apprentice,
who hated sowens, and styled them ''a big bellyfu' o'
naething." It is many years now since George and
Violet passed away. Quiet, harmless folks, they lived
a simple, virtuous life, and were respected and esteemed
by all who knew them.

THE RESURRECTIONIST SCARE

IN SANQUHAR.

THE SKIPPER AND THE PLAISTER.

When, getting on for eighty yean ago, there arose
a great cry throughout Scotland that certain lawless
characters, known as '' Resurrectionists/' were going
about the country desecrating the graveyards and sell-
ing exhumed bodies to the medical professors as sub-
jects for the dissecting rooms of the colleges, there was
a strong suspicion, not, it is believed, without good
reason, that graves were being tampered with in
Sanquhar kirkyard. Accordingly, as in other places,
it became usual for the relatives of deceased persons to
set a watch over the graves of their friends, and to con-
tinue the guard until such time as danger of interfer-
ence was past. These night watchings were taken part
in by townsmen in turns, generally young journeymen
tradesmen, who were furnished with firearms, and pro-
vided with an ample supply of meat and drink to keep
out the cold, and fortify their courage. There was
something peculiarly eerie-like and gruesome in these
vigils and the reason that necessitated them that
caused an indefinable feeling of fear and apprehension
amongst ali classes, and the watchers each morning as

104

they came off duty were eagerly questioned as to the
doings of the night. So far as I can now remember to
have heard, the watchers at no time were interfered
with. But that a watch was needed there can be no
possible doubt. When John Thomson, the son of Dr
Thomson, of Sanquhar, was attending his medical classes
in Edinburgh he was shocked one day to see on the
dissecting table the body of a man whom he knew well,
and who had been buried in Sanquhar kirkyard only
a few days previously.

The resurrectioii business was carried on in quite a
wholesale fashion; and, in some instances, with bat
little attempt at concealment. One fine summer day,
when the weavers and other workmen had finished their
mid-day meal, and were standing in groups on the
street, enjoying a smoke, and talking over the news of
the day, a gig with a lady and gentleman drove into
the town from the west, passed down the street, and
pulled up at the inn at the Townfoot, tenanted by
Andrew Lament. Handing the reins to a boy, the man
got out, and entering the inn ordered a glass of
whisky, which he drank standing. A bystander passed
a remark upon the fine weather they were then having,
enquired whether the stranger had travelled far, and
further ventured to ask if he was not going to treat his
goodwife to a dram. To these queries the traveller
replied that he had come from Ayrshire, and that his
wife never took spirits; and, bidding his interrogator
good-day, reseated himself beside the lady in the trap.
Now while the stranger was in the inn some of the
weavers came forward to have a look at the turnout,
the gig being particularly smart looking, and the horse
a fine, dashing animal. The lady, heavily veiled, and
with a plaid drawn round her, sat erect in the trap.

Tower of Sanquhar Kirk.

105

A certain stiffness about her posture^ however, caused
some curiosity among the onlookers, which was in-
creased when the man got in beside her; for she made
not the slightest movement when he got in, but sat
bolt erect, and when the horse made a move fell slightly
forward. Then it was discovered that a rope was
passed round her body fastening her to the back of the
seat.

A shout immediately got up that it was a corpse the
man had beside him, and a rush was made for the gig.
But, putting his whip to the horse, the stranger quickly
got away, and the steed dashed down the street at full
gallop. The weavers made after him, others further
on joined in the chase, and one man made a bold
attempt to get hold of the horse; but lashing out with
his whip at his assailant, the resurrection man got
safely away. Who he was, where he had come from,
and whither he was going with his ghastly companion
was never found out.

This and stories of other incidents of a like awesome
nature kept the Sanquhar folks — old and young — in a
state of timorous excitement for many a day; and,
after the trial of Burke and Hare for the murder of
Daft Jamie and others, which took place at Edinburgh
in December, 1828, resulting in the execution of Burke
on the 28th January, 1829, terrible tales of Burkers
and resurrectionists formed the theme of conversation
at every fireside; and every now and again the good
folks were startled by some new story of the nefarious
and loathsome doings of these ghoul-like wretches.
This continued for many years, and I well remember
when a boy sitting listening to these stories until I
dared not look over my shoulder lest I should gaze
upon some of the murderous gang. If the night was

1C6

in any way dark, to go out of doors at these times waa
out of the question, let my needs be ever so pressing.
The stories told of the manner of business among the
Burkers were somewhat as follows: — The Burkers vent
prowling about at night in lonely roads and on the
outskirts of villages, and, when they met with a
solitary individual, one of their number would creep
up cautiously behind and place a fast sticking plaister
over his nose and mouth, while others were ready with
a sack, into which they thrust their victim, who was
quickly su£focated. The plaister left no incriminating
mark, and the body was taken to the doctors, and sold
to them for dissection.

In those days a nail-maker named George Howat
had a workshop behind where Little's buildings now
stand. It was reached through a close, and was a
great resort of young and old during the winter even-
ings; and here the news of the day and the doings of
the Burkers were freely discussed. Now, there was a
journeyman who wrought in the shop, named James
Henderson, but better known by the nick-name of the
"Skipper." He was a tall, loosely-put-together
fellow, confoundedly lazy, and a notorious coward. It
was a terrible job for him to get up in the morning, so
that he had to work late almost every night to make
something like a decent day's wage. He was an eager
listener to all the cock-and-bull stories that were re-
hearsed night after night in the workshop; he was so
interested in these fearsome tales that he would stop
work, and appear to take in all, with mouth and eyes
as well as his ears. Repeatedly he was told that he
should try and get his work done a little earlier, for
there was just a danger of him being kidnapped some
dark night as he went up the close, which was very

107

narrow, and in every way favourable for the purpose.
He did try for a day or two, but fell into his old habit
again; but fearing that he might be attacked, he
borrowed an old sword, and carried it home with him
every night, determined, he said, to cut the head of
anyone who should attempt to lay hands on him. Tam
Simson and Pat Hislop — the same worthies who raised
the evil spirits at the Warld's £n' — were regular fre-
quenters of the nailer's shop, and knew well how
matters stood. They resolved to do a little in the
burking line, and selected the " Skipper " for the sub-
ject. One dark, wet night, when they knew that he
would be working late, they procured a strong brown
paper, which -they covered with treacle, to act as a
plaister, and so waited for their man. They took up
their position in the close, and in a short time heard
their victim coming, and having all ready, as he entered
the narrow part of the close, Tam clapped the plaister
on his face, Pat at the same time saying in a low
voice, "Quick! shove 'im into the sack." The poor
" Skipper " was immediately in a state of the most
abject terror; the sword dropped from his nerveless
grasp; he bounded from them with a yell that startled
everyone within hearing, and rushed frantically into
the first open door, which happened to be his master's,
to the consternation of all in the house. His appear-
ance was most ludicrous — his hair standing on end, his
eyes glaring and like to jump out of his head, and his
face, with the grime of the workshop and the treacle
plaister, he looked more like a tatooed South Sea
Islander than a native of North Britain. It was some
time before he could speak, but when he recovered
sufficient wind his first words were " Burkers and
plaister." George Howat, honest man, examined his

108

f aoe, and saw that the attempt at barking had been
made by nothing more dangerous than treacle. He
and all in the house had a hearty laugh at poor
** Skipper's " expense, who now saw that he had been
the subject of a ridiculous hoax, and went sneakingly
home, for once thoroughly ashamed.

Happily there are no resurrectionists or danger of
graves being profaned in these days; but seventy years
ago the fear was very real indeed, and timid people
did not care to venture far by themselves after darkness
had set in.

« i¥Tr*T\T\TiLTnn »>

BEN AND HIS "WEDDINGS.

John RobinBoxiy or, as he was generally called,
"Ben," wa? a noted character in Sanquhar, who kept
the boys in fun and the grown-up people in amusement
for upwards of a quarter of a century. He was bom
in Sanquhar in the year 1802, in an old building named
the "Blue Tower," situated at the head of Laurie's
Wynd, where his mother, Jean Robb, and his grand-
mother, Tibbie Glendinning, or " Whish-oo-Tibbie," as
she was called, resided for many years. His reputed
father was Benjamin Robinson, a draper in the burgh,
from whom he got the name ''Ben," but he does not
appear to have concerned himself much, if anything,
about his son John. So the young hopeful grew up
under the fostering care of his mother and grand-
mother, and took pot-luck with several half-brothers
and sisters until he reached manhood. In stature he
was a stout, strongly-built man, about five feet eight
inches in height. When a lad, he accidentally got his
hip joint dislocated, so that the one leg was four or
five inches shorter than the other, and every step he
took was with a very noticeable " up-and-down."
His long'jr leg, and, I think, the better of the two,
was not altogether entire. Running about bare-footed
when a boy, he sprung over a dyke, and not noticing
ifbere he was going, alighted among some broken

no

bottles, one of which cat off the half of one of his heels.
On this account his companions dabbed him "Half-
heel Ghost." It will be seen, therefore, that his
anderstandings were none of the best, bat, to make ap
for these deficiencies, natare had endowed him with a
pair of long and strong arms — ^so strong, indeed, that
it was dangerous to get into grips with him when his
blood was up. His face was of a dull yellow colour,
and so full of wrinkles that it had the appearance of
crimpled, smoke-dried parchment; but withal there was
a touch of good humour in his countenance, and a
merry twinkle in the eyes that showed he liked a bit of
fun. In the matter of clothes Ben was not particular
as regards cut or colour; they consisted of what was
given him by people in the town and neighbourhood,
and he had a peculiar notion to name his best coats
after the individuals from whom he received them. On
one occasion when having one of his sprees, or ''wed-
dings," as he called them, he happened to have on his
best coat, and, being afraid he would get it spoiled,
he went opposite his dwelling-house and called to his
wife, " Leezie, come here and tak' in Mr Whigham, an'
bring oot Dr Thomson," these being two gentlemen who
had supplied him with the coats.

To see Ben in his glory was after he had swallowed
three or four half-gills of Ned Whigham's best. Then
he would come out on the middle of the street, stand
on the long leg| twisting the short one back and for-
ward round it, wai^e his bonnet, and make all the noise
he could until he had two or three score of boys and
girls round him. And the youngsters did enjoy Ben's
weddings; they came running from all parts of the
town to , enjoy the fun. He would dance and sport
with them for a bit ; then all at once he would mH^ .

Ill

a dart at some boy and chase him for a short distance,
with the whole crowd at his back shouting all manner
of names at him, such ab "Old Crocodile," "Half-l^eel
Ghost/' '' Hitch-and-go-Easy," and so on. The boys
in general were too speedy for Ben and his " game leg,"
as he called it; but, when he did get hold of one of
them, he did him no harm. He would continue hii
" weddings " until he got tired and sober, only to begin
when next he got drunk, which was as often as he
could get the whisky.

Many a ridiculous scene was enacted at Ben's
''weddings." I remember one in particular. There
had been a roup near the town, at which plenty of
drink was handed round. Ben was there^ and had his
fill of the whisky, with the result that when the sale
was over he was in the best of good humour, and ready
for a spree. He quickly had the boys round him, and
on this occasion took them all into his confidence. He
told them that he was about to commence a new line
of business; he was going to be an auctioneer, and
would begin that very afternoon, and invited them all
to come and patronise his initial sale. All agreed,
and off he set to a back house off the High Street,
where he and his wife lived. Bringing a kitchen table
on to the street for a platform, he almost denuded his
dwelling of its crockery ware, which he piled up by
his side, and, taking up three or four bowls inside each
other, began operations, asking for )>ids in regular
auctioneering style. One boy bade a penny, another
a halfpenny more, and so on. At last, with a vehement
"Going ! one, two, three, gone !" the dishes were knocked
down to one of the boys. But on the bowls being pro-*
ffered and the price demanded, the youngster being
^nniless, refused to take them^ and bolted. Ben im-

112

mediately went after him, but the youth was too sharp,
and, seeing he could not get at him, threw the bowls
after him one at a time, to the great amusement of all
present.

Ben was frequently before the Magistrates for holding
his *' weddings," and several times had the sentence of
banishment from the burgh pronounced against him.
During his banishment he lodged in the Newtown,
which is outside the bounds of the royalty. On these
occasions he used to stand at the boundary behind the
Council House, looking wistfully down the High Street,
but in a few days he would come in from his exile and
be the old man again. At last the authorities thought
it best to leave him alone, seeing he did no damage or
hurt ^o anyone, and for a long time he was never
meddled with. At last a tradesman who bore no good-
will to Ben was made a Bailie. He determined to put
John down as a public nuisance, and to show that he
was now a man of authority, and would not tolerate
Ben's on-goings, he gave instructions to the town officer
to lock him up on the first opportunity. It was not
long before a chance presented itself. Ben was on the
spree, and, as usual, had a great crowd of young folks
round him. Acting on his instructions, the officer
went to put a stop to the racket, and, as Ben refused
to move, he made an attempt to apprehend him. It
so happened that on this particular afternoon the newly-
fledged Bailie and his wife were going to a party; he
was dressed in his best, and had on a new dark green
coat bought for the occasion; and as he and his better
half were proceeding to the house of their friend, they
had to pass where Ben and the officer were struggling.
Ben by this time had his would-be captor down, and
held him as in a vice. The Bailie, seeing the predic%

113

ment the representative of law and order was in, went
to his assistance. This was just what Ben wanted.
He knew the Bailie had a grudge at him, and, letting
go his hold of the town officer, seized the Magistrate,
although a much larger man than himself, had him
down in a twinkling, rolled him over several times in
the gutter, and tore the new coat right up the back.
Ben then got up and made off. When the Bailie rose
he was a pitiful sight, covered with mud from head to
heel, and his coat in two halves. The gibes and derisive
laughter of the bystanders were more than he could
stand, and he bolted home as fast as possible. Neither
the Bailie nor his wife were at the party that evening.
Ben was not apprehended, but he found it convenient
to keep out of the way for a day or two. At a meet-
ing of the Town Council, held a few days after this, the
Bailie thought £t to charge the Corporation for the
price of his new coat, which, he said, had been torn from
his back while performing a public duty. The Pro-
vost, douce man, told him that he had no occasion to
interfere, and that it was very much out of place for a
Ma^strate to be rolling in the gutter with a drunk man,
and so the matter dropped, very much to the chagrin
of the Bailie, who lost his coat and was well laughed
at into the bargain.

Ben soon got notice how matters stood, and was
quickly again in evidence, as lively as ever.

I remember him becoming possessed of an old, worn-

out horse that someone had given him to take to the

dogs. Before setting off with it he got drunk, and,

having got hold of an old saddle and bridle, he mounted

the poor old skeleton, which had been a large, powerful

animal at one time, and swore that he would be a

gentleman for once in his life. It is questionable if

8

114

Don Quixote cut a more ridiculous figure than Ben
did upon this occasion. With a crowd of boys after
him, he called at every public-house in the burgh, and
ordered '' half-a-gill for Mr Robinson/' which he drank
sitting on horseback. There was snow on the ground
at the time, and in splendid condition for snowballs.
The boys could not resist such a tempting target, and
his progress was accompanied with a perfect fusilade.
Ben did not much mind, and was more concerned for
the animal under him than he was for himself. " Hit
me," he cried, ''but don't hit my steed."

Poor Ben had no regular occupation; he did odd
jobs for anyone who would employ him ; and very care-
ful he was of anything given into his charge. He was
very fond of horses, and liked well to be employed for
a few days driving a horse and cart ; he was exceedingly
attentive to any animal thus trusted to him, and fed
and tended it like a child.

It is now about sixty years since Ben passed over to
the great majority. His death was a melancholy one.
He was in one of the upstairs rooms of the Commercial
Inn, kept at that time by Mrs Gilmour, bargaining with
a carrier about the skin of a horse he had to sell. Dur-
ing the negotiations, an altercation arose between him
and a third party. Ben got angry at something that
was said, and left the room in a hurry. Missing his
footing at the top of the stairs, he fell with great force
to the bottom, his head striking the stone wall opposite.
He was raised in an unconscious state, the blood issuing
from his mouth and ears, and taken home. But he
never regained his senses, and died the next day. His
untimely end was regretted by all, for, with all his fail-
ings, he was a great favourite.

Ben had one son, William Robinson, who in some

115

respects closely resembled his sire. Brought up in a
hand-to-mouth fashion, he was left early pretty much
to himself, and followed no regular employment, but
made a living by doing odd jobs, driving cattle, or
running errands. He liked well to have the job of
hawking fruit or fish through the town, and it was a
treat to hear his cries while trundling a barrow of
herrings. Like his father, he dearly loved a dram, but
living in different times, he could not carry on as his
father had done. On more than one occasion he was
taken up for breach of the peace. It was no easy job
to overpower him. He had a powerful grip, and had
also his father's old trick of throwing himself on his
back and playing grab at the clothes of his assailants.
The last time he was in trouble he succeeded in com-
pletely rending in twain the tunic of Constable Kirk,
who was taking him to the lock-up. Willie died in a
house in the Newtown on the 9th October, 1885.

PAT M'CRIRICK OF THE CAIRN.

The feuds of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
which formed the most marked feature of Border history
of that period were not so prominent in the upper parts
of Nithsdale as elsewhere in the western marches; but
owing to the rivalries of the more powerful barons, and
the ceaseless jealousies of the smaller clans, bloody
encounters and deeds of violence were nevertheless very
frequent.

In the beautiful but wild upland parish of Kirk-
connel, a small though strong sept had, owing to a
marriage with one of the Crichtons of Sanquhar, obtained
a firm footing, its head for many generations possessing,
besides other lands, some six square miles of country on
the west side of the river Nith, known as " The Cairn,'*
or more commonly " M'Cririck's Cairn." In the latter
half of the sixteenth century the most prominent
member of the race was Patrick M'Cririck of Cairn, a
man of the most lawless character. It appears from
the Privy Council records that he possessed considerable
property in Sanquhar, of which ancient burgh he was
a burgess, and in that capacity his name is found in
1576 among the witnesses to the charter of Cluny by
Robert Crichton of Eliock to his son James, generally
known as the ''Admirable Crichton." The refusal
of Sheriff William Crichton to infeft Patrick M'Cririck

118

in his poiDoaBJonfl in and near Sanquhar led, in 1579, to
an appeal to the Privy Council, and afterwards to re-
peated acts of violent retaliation.

Pat aspired to the hand of the sister of Carmichael
of Crawford, and appears to have met with some
encouragement. But his object was not only to win
the lady, but also at the same time to revenge himself
on William Crichton of Ryehill, who had for long been
her suitor. He might have been successful, but fatali-
ties among the Crichtons placed Ryehill in the im-
portant position of heir-presumptive to the barony of
Sanquhar. This decided the lady's choice. Pat, how-
ever, determined not to be easily supplanted. Arming
several of his men, he went under cover of night over
the hills to Dovane, where Miss Carmichael resided,
with the intention of abducting her and effecting a
forced marriage. But suspicion of his intentions being
aroused, a watch had been set, and notice of his approach
was given in time for the lady to escape to the castle of
her brother. Finding the place deserted, with the ex-
ception of one man-servant, who was left for dead, Pat
and his men proceeded to raze the " houses and biggins "
to the ground. Shortly after this the sister of Car-
michael became the wife of Ryehill. But a short time
previous to the marriage she had taken up her abode
at the house of one of her servants in Dovane, being
well protected by armed dependants. On hearing of
this, Pat, with five armed accomplices, made another
night excursion with a view to carry her off. During
the fray, however, she escaped, and the only satisfaction
Pat enjoyed was that of burning the house and demol-
ishing its out-buildings, and " cruellie and unmercifullie
wounding the servant, Nicol Griersone, for his bodilie
harm." On a charge of the " treasonable crime of fire-

119

raisin'/' Pat is found, brought before the Privy Council
at the instance of Carmichael of Meadowflat, and sub-
sequently lodged in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh to await
his trial in the early part of 1583. The quarrel seems
to have been made up, for the appointed assise failing
to appear, notwithstanding a penalty of £40 each for
non-attendance, Pat was set free. It seems to have
been no dif^cult matter to evade justice at that time.
In this case, Pat's surety was Sir John Gordon of Loch-
invar, a relative, and one of the Privy Councillors. A
matrimonial alliance also had been made with a
daughter of Crichton of Libry, and doubtless the assize
were no losers for their non-appearance. Such matters
admitted then of an easy adjustment.

Patrick M'Cririck after this was on good terms with
the Crichtons, and assisted Lord Sanquhar in the feud
with the Johnstones. In answer to the call told thus
in the old ballad —

" Let all the clans from Oorsoncone

To Kello's bosky stream^ man^
All from Kirkconnel's sunny braes,
Whae in the sweetest woodland strays.

For war resign the team man/'

Pat came to a fight of reprisal with his contingent.
The fortune of war was at first favourable, and Pat had
succeeded in making a mounted Johnstone prisoner.
But an adverse turn of events endangered his own life.
He was hotly pursued by a company of Johnstones, but,
loth to lose his prisoner's horse, and unable to secure
both it and the captive, he at one blow struck off the
head of the latter, and escaped with his coveted posses-
sion. This was at Dryfe Sands in 1593.

Pat must have died before 1597, as in that year James

120

M'Cririck, of M'Cririck's Caim, is found as a witness to
a charter of Lord Crichton to Robert Chartres. This
James, in 1606, had a gift under the Privy seal of the
lands of Ryehill, forfeited by John Crichton, father of
the first Earl of Dumfries, whose aunt, Marion, widow
of Cunningham of Polquhairn, was married to James
M'Cririck in 1607. They were, however, shortly after-
wards assigned by James M'Cririck to Catherine Craw-
ford, relict of RyehilL No doubt it was a family
arrangement. In 1610 the name of James M'Cririck
appears on the assize at the celebrated trial of Douglas
of Lincluden for divers acts of slaughter.

James M'Cririck appears to have maintained a char-
acter in the district in distinct contrast to his lawless
and violent predecessor Patrick, and to have aimed at
securing possessions which in after times were mainly
to pass into the hands of strangers.

In additon to the Cairn and their possessions in
Sanquhar, the M'Criricks were also owners of lands in
the Island of Arran. These lay in Glenscordale, in the
south end of the island, and in the seventeenth century
mention is made of the following as tenants of James
M'Cririck of the Cairn, viz. : — John Carmiphael in
Prettismylne, William Bannatyne in Grenebum, and
John Ronton in Hartwood. The overlord or superior
of these lands was the Duke of Hamilton. With
M'Cririck there were other lairds who held land under
the superiority of the Duke ; and a story which has been
handed down telling how they lost their possessions
strikingly illustrates the fashion in which lands were
obtained in the days when '' might was right.''

A request was made by the Duke of Hamilton's factor
that M'Cririck, with the others who held lands under
the superiority of the Duke, should visit His Grace and

121

stay a night with him, taking with tbem the deeds of
their property for inspection. Some story about altera-
tion in feudal jurisdiction was told them, and hopes of
getting rid of the superiority were held out, but the
nature of the deeds must be investigated by the Duke's
solicitor. Homer M'Cririck of the Cairn, with all the
others holding lands — except one — acted upon the
factor's invitation. The man who did not go acted
wisely. He retained his lands, while all the rest of
Arran became the absolute property of the house of
Hamilton. The deeds, left with the Duke's factor, were
never returned; and what compensation — no doubt
some — was given is not known.

In connection with the journey of these Arran land-
holders to their superior, tradition tells a strange story
of a warning conveyed in a dream, which, if acted upon,
might have saved for the M'Cririck family their pos-
sessions in Glenscordale.

Homer M'Cririck was married to Christian Wyllie,
daughter of the Laird of Burnhead. She was a well-
educated woman, shrewd and discriminating, and in
business matters more far-seeing than her husband.
She very much questioned the sincerity of the Duke of
Hamilton's factor, and tried to prevail upon Homer not
to accept the invitation. On the night previous to her
husband setting out on his journey she dreamed that
she saw him coming over the sea from Arran in a boat
hauled across with golden chains. She thought she was
standing at the port of Ayr waiting to meet him, when,
just as he was nearing the shore, the chain broke,
capsizing the boat, and Homer and those with him sank
and disappeared. This dream made a strong impression
upon her, and she redoubled her efforts to prevent her
husband's departure. Disaster, she said, would surely

122

follow. Bat Homer M'Cririck would have his own way.
He came back a sadder and a wiser man, regretting to
his dying day that he had not followed his wife
Christian's advice.

THE COVENANTER'S BAN.

In the upper ward of Nithsdale, near where meet the
sister counties of Ayrshire and Dumfriesshire, there
stretches for several miles on the south of the Nith the
district known as ''The Cairn." It is a hleak upland
quarter, but one which commands a prospect of great
extent; the rising ground behind culminating in the
mountain known as M'Cririck's Cairn, having a height
of 1824 feet above sea level. Directly opposite, on the
north of the Nith, is the more prominent though less
exalted Corsoncone (1547 feet), the two mountains stand-
ing sentinels, as it were, over the entrance to Nithsdale.
For generations the Cairn was in the possession of the
M'Criricks, one of the few families in Upper Nithsdale
who remained staunch to the Stuarts in the troubles that
preceded and distressed the days of the Commonwealth.
When the Protector's power was established, a not un-
common result of loyalist devotion soon befel Homer
M'Cririck, the laird of Cairn, viz., a regiment of Crom-
well's troops was quartered at the old tower of Cairn
and at the cottar's houses adjoining, a proceeding which
speedily drained the Laird's resources. A worse con-
sequence of the oppression was the wanton conduct of
the officer in charge, an exercise of which led to his
death, as the Laird, in revenge for some insult, dashed

124

out his brains with the keys of the tower, and fled to
Argyle, an act followed by the forfeiture of his jpro-
perty in 1654. The exact particulars of the event will
never be known, but it seems that Homer M'Cririck felt
remorse, as he ever afterwards kept the anniversary of
the deed ar. a fast. At the Restoration Homer returned
to the Cairn, of which he again obtained possession.
Finding the tower a ruin and his lands utterly laid
waste, the Laird and his son James, who succeeded him,
lived quietly afterwards endeavouring to repair their
fallen fortunes. From the register of deeds it seems
the former in 1664 borrowed money from a Biggar
merchant, doubtless to help him to tide over his ruinous
misfortune.

A strange event, however, was to befal, that appears
to have hung like a cloud over the fortunes of the
family, and which may be classed among coincidences or
relegated to the domain of psychology as the mind may
be disposed. James M'Cririck, the son of the above-
mentioned Homer, had succeeded in bringing back the
estate to something like its former prosperity, and,
doubtless with a wholesome remembrance of the past, he
kept aloof from all public matters. Though an Epis-
copalian he had, with ^ view, perhaps, of strengthening
his financial position, married his son John to Agnes
Campbell, daughter of Campbell of Wellwood, a cadet
of the Loudon family. Agnes Campbell, like the rest
of her family, was a devoted Covenanter, and on one
occasion rode from Cumnock to Edinburgh with a view
to release by stratagem her brother, who was confined
for the sake of his principles in the Tolbooth.

In the parish of Kirkconnel at this time there were
two men — Corson and Hair — whose lives were sought by
the dragoons, who under the command of Dalzell, were

125

scouring the country in search of the hiding CovenantetB.
These men, owing to the influence of Agnes, had found
a refuge at the Cairn, contrary to the wishes of the
Laird, whose principles and sympathies were averse to
them. He, however, was loath to send them adrift, till
hearing that their whereabouts had been discovered, and
that information had been lodged against himself, he
determined upon their removal. But before this could
be safely effected the troopers were seen approaching
the tower in order to search it, when Corson and Hair
were turned out without ceremony, to make their escape
if possible over the Cairn Hill. They were quickly
espied by the dragoons and both shot, and an obelisk
recording the deed is still to be seen on the hillside.

Corson before dying uttered one of those strange pre-
dictions, several of which have been handed down from
his times, with the story of their after fulfilment: —
Turning towards the old house, he foretold that in the
fourth generation the race of him who refused shelter
should die out in the parish, and that the last should
be a man of unsound reason. However it may really
be accounted for, it is certain that in the next genera-
tion the position, possessions, and influence of the family
began to wane till John M'Cririck came to the Cairn
in 1741. With him prosperity seemed for a time to
revive. But the evil prediction was in pursuit. Of
a large family of sons only one, named Homer, sur-
vived, and he was to represent the fourth generation
which the prophecy so fatally concerned. This son, when
a child, was one day seated upon his nurse's knee, when
a terrible thunderstorm came on, during which the nurse
was killed, and the child, though its life was spared, was
left with a feeble frame and an "unsound mind.''
Tradition says that a presentment of coming death.

126

either of the boy, to whom she was greatly attached, or
•f herself, was felt by the nurse for some time before
this sad event, and that her constant prayer was that
God would *' spare the green and take the dry." Homer
M'Cririck, who was of weak intellect, the result no
doubt of the shock, died in 1826^ when a cousin William
M'Cririck became the representative of the family. It
is a remarkable fact that Homer Wilson who, when a
boy, was a servant to the last M'Cririck of the Cairn,
died at the advanced age of 103 years at Wanlockhead
in 1880.

BRYCE'S LOUP,

AN INCIDENT OP THE '45 <

When in 1745 Prince Charlie raised aloft the standard
of his fathers and commenced his ill-fated attempt to
wrest the crown from George of Hanover, he got but
small support from Upper Nithsdale. This is little to
be wondered at. The district had suffered severely
during the troublous reigns of Charles II. and his
brother, James VII. ; and, in fact, it is questionable
whether any other quarter in Scotland had as much
reason to remember the tyrannical reigns of these two
despots as had the upper ward of Nithsdale, whose bosky
glens, heathy moors, and lonely hillsides were for years
the retreats and hiding-places of the persecuted Cove-
nanters. The martyrs' graves, scattered here and there
in the district, are silent but impressive witnesses of the
part it shared in what has appropriately been called
''The Killing Time." The Sanquhar Declarations of
1680 and 1685, commemorated by the monument in
Sanquhar High Street, are generally allowed to have
sounded the death knell of the Stuart dynasty. The
town of Sanquhar was a favourite rallying point for
the Covenanters, and, indeed, has been aptly named the
''Scottish Canterbury." The townsfolk and nearly all
the inhabitants of the adjoining parishes were fast

128

friends of the persecuted hillfolks, and hailed with
delight the Revolution of 1688 as the advent of happier
times. How different would it have been had the two
last Stuart Kings paid more regard to the freedom of
conscience and just liberty to which their subjects were
rightly entitled. No more loyal-hearted men could
have been found than the burghers of Sanquhar; their
forefathers had fought and bled at Bannockburn, at
Flodden Field, and other stubborn fights, and supported
Queen Mary in her last stand against her rebellious
nobles at Langside; not only so, but the old burgh had
sheltered the ill-fated Queen within its walls when she
fled from that fatal field to seek shelter in the serpent's
nest of her treacherous cousin, the fause Queen Bess.
What a glorious reception, too, the townsfolk gave Eling
James the Sixth when he honoured Crichton Peel with
his presence on the last day of July, 1617. Tes^ the
Sanquhar people were always loyal; they are so still;
and, but that the last of the Stuart Kings were not
themselves loyal to the charge committed to their care,
they would have had no stauncher supporters than the
citizens of the old grey town and the dwellers in the
glens and hills around.

When the Earl of Mar raised the rebellion in 1715,
the Sanquhar men rose with alacrity in defence of the
Government, and placed themselves Under the leader-
ship of the Provost — Abraham Crichton, of Gareland.
But in 1745 no preparations appear to have been made
to repel the rebellion; and only a few individuals flung
in their lot with the Prince. One of these belonged to
a family that all through had been loyal to the ancient
Stuart line — this was Bryce M'Cririck, son of Homer
M'Gririck, of M'Cririck's Cairn, in Kirkconnel parish,
and cousin of Captain Scott, the eccentric proprietor of

DHOMBHiNnAX Brig.

129

Knockenstob. Bryoe joined the Prinoe at the oataet,
was present at the defeat of Sir John Cope at Preston-
pans, took part in the fruitless march to Derby, and
formed one of the contingent under Lord Kilmarnock
at the fatal field of Culloden. After the final dispersal
of Prince Charlie's army, Bryce, like many in a similar
position, was forced to take to the hills. He wandered
about for some time in the north, but at last ventured
near Sanquhar, where he had resided, and where he
held some property. A desire to see his sweetheart,
Agnes Corson, would also no doubt influence his coming
south. Afraid to show face in the town, he lay for
some days in a cave in the Pamphy Linns; but some-
how or other his whereabouts became known. The
Provost of Sanquhar, John Crichton, had a long-stand-
ing grudge against M'Cririck; in his official position he
determined to lay hands upon the rebel and bring him
to justice, and thus serve his own private ends under
the pretence of carrying out a public duty. Bryoe
M'Cririck was a tall, strongly-built athletic man, and
not likely to be easily taken, so the Provost got four
stout, able-bodied men to assist him, and set out early
one morning expecting to secure the fugitive in his
hiding-place. But M'Cririck was not to be thus
trapped. He was up betimes, and from the Barr Moor,
where he lay hid among the heather, he saw the
approach of his would-be captors. They were coming
direct to the place where he lay, and, unable to defend
himself against such odds, and knowing that he need
look for no mercy from the Provost, he saw that his
'Only chance of escape was in instant flight. He
accordingly rose up, and made straight for Euchan
Water, among whose wooded banks he hoped to evade
his pursuers. The Provost and his men spotted him,

9

130

and immediately all were in full chase. Bryoe flew
with speed, bat, tripping over a stone, his coarse was
slightly checked, and his parsuers qaickly began to gain
ground on him. Reaching the high bank at Drum-
bringan, he sped down the brae, and reached the water-
side. There had been a heavy rainfall daring the
night, and Euchan was in fall flood. In those days
there was no bridge. To wade was oat of the ques-
tion, as the force of the current was too great, and it
looked as if M'Cririck would be caught. To turn was
futile, as his pursuers were now almost upon him.
Going back a few yards up the brae, however, he braced
himself up, and took a running leap, which carried him
clear over the surging flood, and landed him safely on
the rock on the opposite side. Provost Crichton and
his men saw the daring spring, but no one dared follow
him. Bryce, now in safety, looked calmly across, bade
his pursuers " Gude mornin'," and saia he " hoped they
had enjoyed their early walk." Crichton was terribly
exasperated. To lose his prize when he thought it
fairly in his grasp, was more than he could stand. If
M'Cririck could jump the water, why could not he
himself? Like the fugitive, he, too, was an athletic
man; and he accordingly made ready for the daring
leap. But he sadly miscalculated his powers; in place
of landing on the other side, he found himself in the
midst of the boiling waters, and was being fast carried
down the stream. Crichton was truly in a desperate
and dangerous plight. His four accomplices were un-
able to assist him, and he was in sad straits, when
Bryce M'Cririck gallantly came to his aid. Firmly
grasping the branch of a tree, he held forth his hand
to his enemy, and succeeded in landing him in safety
on the bank. It wotdd be thought that after this act

131

of unselfish kindness the Provost would have given up
all thoughts of diaking M'Cririck a prisoner. But no;
he even then turned upon the man who had just saved
his life> and tried to capture him. But M'Cririck
knocked the ingrate down; and soon after the Provost's
allies getting across the water, they informed their
superior that they would be no party to anything
further being done against Bryce. The Provost ought,
they said, to gratefully thank and protect the man who
had saved his life instead of trying to do him harm.
Provost Crichton stood abashed; he decided there and
then to let bygones be bygones, and said he would
never molest the fugitive more. He kept his word.
Bryce M'Cririck, although he deemed it prudent to
keep out of sight for a while, was at last enabled to
enter unmolested into his possessions in Sanquhar,
where he lived quietly for many years afterwards.
While in hiding, he was married to Agnes Corson, of
Dalwhat, the marriage ceremony being performed at a
cottage among the hills by his cousin, the Rev.
Alexander Miller, parish minister of Kilmaurs. Bryce
M'Cririck and his spouse are buried in the old grave-
yard of Eorkbride.

The place where Bryce M'Cririck made his daring
leap is immediately below that part of Euchan Water
spanned by the wooden bridge at Drumbringan. It
has ever since been known as "M'Cririck's Loup."
When the water is in its normal condition, to leap
across looks a commonplace affair; but when the river
is in flood it presents a very different appearance, and
he would be a daring individual who would attempt the
feat.

-r^

PROVOST WHIGHAM.

HOW HE OUTWITTED THE MEAL MERCHANT.

During the period Mr Bobert Whigham was
Provost of Sanquhar — he held office for eighteen years,
1771 to 1789 — there was one year a great scarcity of
food throughout the country, caused by the failure of
the crops for several years in succession. The seasons
had been so cold and wet that the grain did not ripen,
and what did come to maturity was mostly spoiled
before it could be secured. The heavy tax put upon im-
ported stuff debarred the people from getting much
relief from foreign countries. Meal and bread stuffs
cbntinued to advance in price until the poor people
were driven to great straits to procure the necessaries
of life, the meal actually rising to as high as 10s per
stone, and that, too, of an inferior quality. In these
days a labouring man's wage only averaged about 9s a
week. Provost Whigham was a clear-headed business
man. He was looked up to by all classes of the com-
munity, for he had the welfare of the people at heart,
and was one to whom they could apply for advice and
help when in trouble. He was greatly perplexed as to
how the poor of the town were to tide over the winter^

134

for the scarcity was beginning to tell severely on many
families. However, when things appeared to be at
their worst, help came quite unexpectedly.

The Provost was in the habit of spending an hour or
two in the evening at the Queensberry Arms Inn, where
he occasionally met with travellers and commercial men,
with whom he delighted to converse and talk over the
news of the day. Newspapers then were not so common
as in our time, and a man travelling about from place
to place had a better budget of news than was to be
got in any of the little journals that were at that time
published. One evening Mr Whigham made his
accustomed call at the Queensberry, and took up his
usual place by the parlour fire, the only occupant of
the room beside himself being a merchant from Carlisle,
who was refreshing himself with a glass of toddy after
supper. I may here remark that at that time the
whisky sold on the other side of the Border was high in
price, and of indifferent quality. Whisky was made
exclusively in Scotland, a heavy tax being put on when
it entered England. The Englishman, pleased with
getting a good dram at a low price, was doing ample
justice to the usqiuibaugh when the Provost entered. The
two soon got into conversation on the topics of the day,
the southroner meanwhile sipping freely at the toddy,
which, before long, had the effect of loosening his
tongue considerably; and after a time he became quite
communicative, and told the Provost the object of his
journey, which was as follows: —

In business he was a grain merchant. He had just
received private information from a sure source that a
sloop, loaded with oatmeal, would arrive at Ayr harbour
the next day. The price of meal was still rising, but he
expected to be able to purchase this ship load at a

135

fairly moderate figure, and, when he had the lot carted
to Carlisle he was looking forward to making a pretty
large profit out of the transaction. It further was his
intention to be off at an early hour in the morning, so
as to catch the vessel on her arrival.

The Provost listened intently to all the Carlisle
merchant had communicated, and when the latter pro-
posed retiring to rest, he suggested they should have
just one more parting glass. Himself, at all times a
temperate man, Mr Whigham on this night was partic-
ularly so, and had taken care to take but a small
quantity of toddy. He was in no ways affected by
what he had drunk, but the final glass he ordered was
quite enough to settle the Englishman, who with
difficidty was able to instruct the landlord of the hour
he wished to get up, and had to be assisted to his bed-
room.

Before going home the worthy Provost, who had
meanwhile made up his mind as to the morrow's
business, gave a hint to his friend Mr Edward
Whigham, the landlord, that he need be in no particular
hurry to waken his guest in the morning. Reaching
his own house, the Provost communicated to his wife
the conversation he had had with the grain merchant;
and told her that it was his intention to forestall him
by setting out at once for Ayr, and endeavour if
possible, to purchase the ship load of meal before his
Carlisle friend could get forward. Mrs Whigham
warmly seconded her husband's scheme, seeing in the
transaction not so much a meaiukof profit to themselves
but a way to relieve the sufferings of their more needful
and poorer townspeople. Accordingly Mrs Whigham
busied herself getting things ready for the early
journey, and a man-servant being despatched in haste

136

to Bumfoot for the Provost's riding pony, he set oat at
once» and reached Ayr about eight in the morning. He
was not a minute too soon for the object he had in
view. Having got his pony stabled, he went, first thing,
to the harbour, and found the vessel he was in search
of had just newly arrived. She had had a favourable
passage, and her arrival was really earlier than ex-
pected. The owner of the cargo was on board, and the
captain was anxious to get cleared out so as to return
home while wind and weather were favourable. The
Provost examined the meal, and finding it good, after
some bargaining, bought the whole cargo. He next
hired men to unload, and secured a number of carters
to convey it to Sanquhar. In a few hours the whole
cargo was unloaded, put on the carts, and on the road
for its destination, with the Provost following at his
leisure.

In passing through Old Cumnock, where the want of
meal was as much felt as at Sanquhar, the carters had
great difficulty in keeping back some of the inhabitants
from helping themselves from the Provost's meal sacks.
However, all was safely delivered at Sanquhar, and
stored in one of the Provost's houses. To Mr Whig-
ham's honour be it said, he did not take a penny of
profit, but sold the meal to the townspeople at two
shillings and sixpence per stone less than they had
been previously paying, and the meal, too, of a much
better quality than that they had been getting at a
higher price.

As to the Carlisle grain merchant. The whisky
toddy had taken such an effect upon him that when
the landlord went to his room in the morning he could
scarcely lift his head from the pillow. After getting
a hair of the dog that bit him the night before, he

137

rallied a little, but it was past mid-day before he was
able to set out for Ayr. What his feelings were when
he arrived at Ayr harbour and found what had taken
place can be easier imagined than described. Whether
he called at the Queensberry on his return journey I
never heard tell.

The buying of the cargo of meal in order to lessen
the sufferings of the poor people of Sanquhar is only
one of many acts of kindness done by a man who was,
perhaps, the most loved of any who, either before or
since, has occupied the Provost's chair of the ancient
burgh. The kindness of heart, and the deep interest
he had in the people over whom he presided, is clearly
set forth by the following story, which I had from the
daughter of a woman whom he befriended: — This
woman, after a long and careful attendance upon her
husband, was left a widow with a large family of young
children. What little means there had been was ex-
hausted by the poor man's long illness. The widow
and her young offspring occupied a small freehold con-
sisting of a cottage and garden. Some time before the
husband took ill he had borrowed twenty pounds from
his brother, for which sum he gave him a bond upon
the property. The widow knew nothing whatever of
this transaction until after her husband's death, when
her brother-in-law called upon her, and requested her
to pay the bond or otherwise give up the property.
She was unable to pay the money, but asked time, when
she hoped to be able to square matters. But the
brother-in-law was of a greedy, grasping disposition,
and ceased not to torment his widowed relation till one
day the poor woman, unable longer to stand his taunts
and reproaches, took her furniture out of the house, and
let her unfeeling relation take possession. She had

138

nowhere to go, and the furniture piled on the street
quickly gathered the neighbours, who pitied the poor
woman, and advised her to go and put her case before
the Provost. Mr Whigham was a true father to the
townspeople, and indeed for anyone to undertake any
matter of special importance without first consulting
him was scarcely ever thought of. To the Provost,
therefore, the widow went. He listened patiently to
her tale; sympathised with her, said she acted a bit
foolishly in giving up possessicm of her house, but that
he would see best what could be done. Meantime he
said her household belongings could not lie on the
street, and calling his man directed him to cart the
widow's furniture to a house belonging to himself that
happened at the time to be empty. Next day he sent
for the uncharitable brother-in-law, and rated him
soundly for his unchristianlike conduct. He told him
plainly that he had got possession of the property far
below its value, and that unless he immediately did
justice to his sister-in-law by giving her over in cash
the balance of a proper appraisement he would cause
the house to be exposed in public roup. This threat
of the Provost had the desired effect, and the widow
received in the end a good price for the property.

During Mr Whigham 's reign as Provost there came
to settle down in his native burgh a native of Sanquhar,
who had amassed a large fortune abroad. He had a
great ambition to be made Provost, and used all means
to try and effect this end. But he found it a hopeless
task to oust Mr Whigham. He was told of all the
Provost had done for the town, and among other things
how he had come to relief of the working population
when meal was at famine prices. But the nabob had
set his mind on filling the civic chair. At a meeting

139

of the burghers he caused it to be given forth that if
he were made Provost he would endow the town with
as much money as would yield an interest sufficient, in
all time coming, to prevent meal being sold beyond a
certain price. This generous offer was warmly
applauded, and gained for him many supporters. But
with all their faults, ingratitude found no abode with
the Sanquhar citizens. One of their number — John
Hunter — rose up and reminded his fellow-townsmen of
the many acts of kindness done by Provost Whigham,
and closed a forcible speech in these words : — " No, my
fellow-townsmen, although the nabob should give us
meal for nothing, Mr Whigham shall still be our
Provost, and no other. He it was who helped us in
oar hour of need, and we will not forsake him now."
Hunter's speech carried his hearers, and Mr Whigham
was again re-elected.

I /

> NT SON OF NITHSDALE.

^^T,LIAM JOHNSTON, OF THE RIFLE
BRIGADE.

** of eminence that the parish of Sanquhar

*^'*ne8 has sent forth, no one is more worthy

- deserving of having his memory kept green

■"^r William Johnston, of the Rifle Brigade.

'-he Army in the early years of last century,

nart in all the hardest fights of the eventful

fnst Napoleon; he was wounded several times;

than once successfully undertook the most

IS of missions, that in later days would have

Poi iiim that most-coveted of all military decora-

■ '."^ictoria Cross. It is no small honour to any

ILaD it should have produced such a man; and

liiay well recall with pride the memory of her

'allant son.

»r Johnston was the descendant of an old and
rable family. He was the eldest son of William
>n of Roundstonefoot, a small estate that marches
bhe classic Bodesbeck, in Upper Annandale, and
had been held by the same family for a
;hened period. Among old Border records, and in

142

the history of aome famous raids that were participated
in generally by the Annandale Johnstones, the name of
Johnston of Roundstonefoot frequently appears. The
hero of these notes was born at Clackleith, in Sanquhar
parish, on the 2l8t of August, 1782. £Us father at that
time held the Wanlock and Cogg farms, known now as
Clenries, but soon afterwards retired, and lived until
his death at Blackaddie. He was an active member of
Sanquhar Town Council, and held the Provostship
(1790-2). He was one of the coterie of Bums' friends
in the burgh, and is described by Dr Simpson as " a
well-educated man, and an admirable Latin scholar."
"He had much delight," he continues, ''in reading the
classics and in ransacking the stores of ancient litera-
ture. He was a benevolent gentleman, and, altogether,
much esteemed in the district." Major Johnston from
his youth upwards was a keen sportsman. Cock-
fighting being at that period considered a pastime not
under the dignity of a gentleman to witness, both the
father and son are understood to have frequently
participated in it. He was an excellent marksman.
But from the first Johnston's favourite sport was
hawking. Before he joined the Army, he used to pro-
cure young falcons from an aerie in the Redscaur
Clench, not far from the foot of Spango Water. It is
said that hawks have been known to build in the in-
accessible crevices of the Redscaur until lately, if not
up to the present time.

William Johnston entered the Army in 1805 as an
ensign in the 52nd Light Infantry, and in the year
following was transferred to the Rifle Brigade ss
Lieutenant. In this famous regiment Johnston served
throughout his career. The Rifle Brigade is one of the
most distinguished corps in the British Army, and

143

earned laurels throughout the wars of last century,
having all the bloody fields of the Pensinsula, of
Waterloo, of the Crimea, and India inscribed on its
colours. An appreciative and well-written notice of
Major Johnston appeared in the '' United Service
Magazine " for March, 1837, contributed by a brother
officer who knew him well. Regarding Major John-
ston this writer says: —

" His military claims to the notice of the pubic are
founded upon his having been an unusually large par-
taker in all the perils and glories of his day, com-
mencing with the expedition to Copenhagen, under
Lord Cathcart; followed by the battles of Rolica and
Vimiero, under Sir Arthur Wellesley; the Corunna
retreat, under Sir John Moore; and, subsequently, in
nearly all the battles great and small in the Pensinsula,
under the Duke of Wellington; winding up at Quatre
Bras and Waterloo, in both of which he was wounded.

'' Johnston was framed for toil and activity, and, with
a mind active as his person, he was never idle. He was
a deep reader, a deep thinker, and a tremendous, fear-
less talker! Fixed and uncompromising in every just
and honourable principle, he was one who could, and
would, set the opinions of the world at defiance when-
ever it was his will and pleasure so to do. He had
chalked out a line for himself, and taken his text from
the Miller of Dee —

' I care for nobody, no not I,
If nobody cares for me.'

And he could, therefore, say and do things with im-
punity which few dare venture on. He possessed more
of the milk of human kindness than usually falls to the
lot of humanity; but, as if he deemed it a weakness, he
endeavoured to cloak it under an uncouth garb, and by

I

I

144

MiiiTning a roughness of manner, which eventually be-
came habitual, he succeeded tolerably well; but it re-
quired only a short scrutiny on the part of any ordinary
obeerrer to separate the dross from the ore, and see him
shine in all his native worth."

His social and amusing qualities made him exceed-
ingly popular wherever he went. Passionately fond
of music, he played the violin with taste and brilliancy.
He was extremely fond of children; and a great lover
of dumb animals, having at different times as pets,
bears, badgers, wolves, foxes, crows, quails, d^. As a
politician, he is described as being "the most ultra of
all the Tories."

Johnston as a Lieutenant commanded one of the four
companies which, under Sir Sidney Beckwith at the
pass of Barba del Puerco on the 19th of March, 1810,
so gallantly repulsed six hundred chosen French troops,
who attempted to surprise them at midnight. On the
19th January, 1812, he was one of the officers who
volunteered and led the stormers at the taking of Ciudad
Rodri^, and was fortunate enough to come out un-
scathed, although one of the first to enter that deadly
post. At the storming of Badajoz on the 6th April,
1812, his name again stood on the list of volunteers for
the forlorn hope, but as it was claimed by a senior officer
of the division, he was obliged to limit his expectations
to one of the posts of honour with the storming party.
" Sir Andrew Barnard, however, who commanded the
light division, knowing how peculiarly well qualified he
was for desperate enterprise, assigned him a post in
front of the forlorn hope, in the command of a party
carrying ropes prepared with nooses to throw over the
sword blades, which formed the ' chevaux-defrise,' in
the hope of being able to displace it by dragging it

U6

down to the breach.'* But Johnston and all his party
were stricken down before they got within throwing
distance. His arm here was shattered. His hero-like
appearance the next morning is thus described by a
brother officer. Captain Eincaid, in "Random Shots
from a Rifleman " :— " The first tent that I entered was
Johnston's. He was lying fast asleep, and, coupling
his appearance with the daring duty he had performed
but a few hours before in front of the forlorn hope, I
thought that I had never set my eyes upon a nobler
picture of a soldier. His splendid figure was so disposed
as if he was taking the first step in the breach, his eye*
brows were elevated, his nostrils distended, and alto-
gether no one could have seen him at that moment
without saying — ' There lies a hero.' " As an officer
Johnston was very unfortunate. His services up to that
period had been in the rank of Lieutenant, and though
he then succeeded to a company, it was in the regular
course of promotion, so that the daring deeds mentioned
literally availed him nothing.

The siege of Badajoz, at which Johnston was
wounded, proved to be one of the most sanguinary
episodes in the history of the Peninsular struggle, and
must be considered as distinctly indicating reckless
generalship. Only think of so many devoted and brave
men being hurled against the high walls of a strongly-
garrisoned and fortified place, studded with guns, and
bristling with musketry, and where the trenches outside
the walls were charged with deadly weapons! What
would be said now by the peace-at-any-price party were
they to hear of thirteen thousand British soldiers being
lost in one engagement? It is said, to Wellington's
credit, however, that after the city had been stormed,

and he had looked over the scene and realised the fearful

10

U6

canutge by which hii triumph had been gained, hm
bunt into tean, and wept like a child.

The severitj of Johnston's wound obliged him for a
while to go to Scotland. On arriving home, he found
the French prisoners who had been located in Sanquhar
were having greatly too much freedom, and going
beyond the prescribed area over which they were per-
mitted to move. They were even being highly enter-
tained in many of the better-class houses of the district,
the hospitality thus given to them being sadly outraged
in more than one instance. Johnston at once put a
stop to all this, telling the people how differently he
had learned how some of his friends had been treated
who had the misfortune of falling into the enemy's
hands as prisoners, and pointed out the gross licentioiu-
ness that was characteristic of the French army from
the Emperor downwards. He further intimated that
if this state of matters continued, he would have the
Frenchmen shut up in jail, or perhaps shot for breaking
their parole. The Frenchmen, who were o£Gicers, said
they had had a good time in Sanquhar, *' but since that
young hero of Badajoz had come things were entirely
changed." On becoming convalescent, Johnston re-
turned to his regiment, and was able to share in the
triumphs of Tarbes and Toulouse. The peace which
followed gave him a short respite; and in the interval
before the escape of Napoleon from Elba, he was again
at Sanquhar. Mr Veitch of Eliock used to describe,
with his usual impressiveness, a meeting which at this
time took place in Eliock House between Johnston and
Sir Sidney Beckwith^ who commanded in the Peninsula
the battidion of the Bifle Brigade in which the former
was then a Captain. Both officers were invited to
dinner, but without either having any knowledge of the

147

other's presence, and Mr Veitch would dwell on the
surprise, the delight, and the hearty hand-shaking that
the two war-worn comrades indulged in on the occiuion.

The trumpet of war again sounded in 1815, and once
more Johnston was at his post, with his blood flowing
again, on the field of Quatre Bras on the 16th of June.
His wound on that day, however^ was not so severe as
to oblige him to quit the field; and he had again the
honour of shedding it yet more freely, when on the
plains of Waterloo the Rifle Brigade formed a wing of
the "Fighting Light Division," under the immortal
Picton, who closed a glorious career, at the head of the
division, in the greatest and most glorious of his
country's battles.

Johnston was promoted to a Majority in 1829, and
continued to serve until the •2nd of August, 1831, when
he retired on half-pay, with the intention of enjoying
the slender fruits of his hard servitude in peace and
quietness. But his active mind was ill-suited for a life
of repose, and hi^ving been offered an appointment in
the Colonial Magistracy in 1833, he proceeded in that
capacity to the Cape of Good Hope, where for two years
he continued to exercise the functions of his office in a
manner which commanded the respect of everyone. In
December, 1835, he was seized by a disease (enlarge-
ment of the heart) which rapidly caused a decline. He
determined on returning to Scotland, but died, after
being a week at sea, on the Athol troopship, on the 6th
of April, 1836, the twenty-fourth anniversary of his
greatest triumph — Badajoz.

OLDEN HOSPITALITY IN
NITHSDALE.

In the " Statistical Account of the Parish of
Sanquhar/' written by the Rev. William Banken in
1793^ mention is made of the almost continual flux and
reflux of vagrants through Sanquhar — " a thoroughfare
for both ends of the kingdom/' a state of affairs which,
says the reverend scribe^ " acts as a strong corrosive on
the morals of the people/' and even at that time was
deemed sufficiently serious to ask for the adoption of
some effectual regulations for its suppression. Mr
Banken describes the Sanquhar people of his time as
being hospitable to strangers and humane to the dis-
tressed; " but/' he says, " there is no particular district
of the country more infested than this with shoals of
foreign beggars, and as there is no certain criterion by
which to distinguish the seeming from the real objects
of charity, it often happens that those belonging to the
former tribe, by sly address, and by telling some strange
tale of woe, impose upon the simple, and obtain that
which ought to be applied to the relief of the native
poor, and having obtained it, riot in the spoils." These
remarks, penned a hundred and ten years ago, are
equally applicable at the present day. The tramp
nuisance shows no signs of abating, and there is cer-
tainly no improvement in the genus vagabundum.

ISO

The gaberlanzie of the olden times had aboat him a
certain air of the romantic that is entirely lacking in
the modem tramp. In return for an awmotu, the
gaberlanzie was willing to entertain his benefactor with
a ballad or some quaint bit of humour ; he would unfold
his budget of the latest news and country gossip — always
welcome when newspapers were scarce — and, unlike his
latter-day representative, was willing, when needed, to
give a helping hand at the hay-making or assist in the
harvest field. The beggar man was, therefore, a not
unwelcome guest at many farm houses, and it is diffi-
cult in looking back to avoid a kindly feeling for a
class to which belonged "the pawkie auld carle" so
humorously depicted by King James the Fifth in the
old song, where, to ti^e farmer's daughter, with whom
he eloped, he says: —

** Wi' cauk and keel I'll win your bread.
And spindles and whorles for them wha need,
Wbilk is a gentle trade indeed.

To carry the gaberlunzie on.
I'll bow my leg, and crook my knee*
And draw a black clout o'er my 'ee ;
A cripple or blind they will ca' me.

While we shall be merry and sing."

Vagrants in the olden days had, on the whole, a by
no means despicable existence. It was no uncommon
thing a hundred years ago for the lairds and farmers
to entertain beggars with great kindness, giving them
supper and breakfast, and a bed in one of the outhouses.
Those of them who were cripple or blind were hospitably
treated wherever they went^ but at the same time they
imposed a tax upon the charitable that in these days
would not be tolerated, for, in addition to giving them
food and shelter, the families relieving them had to

151

carry or lead them to the next house. This was no joke.
Some of the cripples had to be carried from place to
place and door to door on hand-barrows^ and in course
of time almost looked upon the public as their bounden
servants, demanding as their right a service that
humanity invoked and benevolence bestowed. In
general the cripples were very authoritative, often foul-
mouthed, and not seldom tremendous imposters. An
amusing story is told of an escapade with a cripple in
Crawick. He had been brought in his box to Carco
Mains, where he was treated to a substantial dinner by
the kind-hearted farmer, and afterwards entrusted to
two servants lads to convey him to Elnockenstob, the
next house. Taking a short cut through the fields, the
lads, when about half through with their task, were
alarmed by the bellowing of a bull, and on looking
round, saw an angry animal about to make a dash at
them. To escape with their burden was impossible, and
as the bull began to make for them, they incontinently
dropped the beggar man, and ran with all their might
for a friendly dyke. But what was their surprise when
the supposed cripple also took to his heels ! More fleet
of foot than those who had carried him, he cleared the
dyke at a bound, and, not stopping to look behind him,
was soon out of sight. He did not return for his hand-
barrow, nor was he ever seen on Crawick banks again.
Although the beggars in general were thankful for
the food and shelter given them by benevolent farmers,
yet occasionally a gaberlunzie would show his ingrati-
tude by taking away with him anything he could
readily lay his hands on. A diverting story is told of
an incident that happened early last century at the
farmhouse of Sweetbit, near Drumlanrig. A beggar
man arrived there late one stormy November night, and

152

arooBed pity with a plausible story of his misforttmeSy
stating that he had lost his work in Paisley because
he took blame on himself for the misdoing of a fellow-
workman who had a large family, while he had none,
and that he was making his way to Carlisle, where he
had friends who would help him to other employment.
After a good supper, he entertained his host with some
racy stories of his adventures, and so won upon the
honest farmer that he provided him with blankets,
sheets, and an over covering, with which a comfortable
bed was made for him in the barn. To reward his
kindly host he rose early the following morning, and,
making a bundle of the bed clothes, decamped with the
spoil. The morning was very misty, favouring the
beggar's escape, but to further avoid notice, he entered
the woods of Drumlanrig, where he lost his way, and,
wandering about for some hours, at last found himself
once more in front of Sweetbit. It being dark when
he had entered the farmhouse the previous evening, he
was imable to recognise the place in daylight, and, not
knowing where he was, and feeling both tired and
hungry, he boldly presented himself at the door, where
he was met by the farmer and one of his man servants.
Conscience-stricken, the beggar dropped his bundle and
fled, the farmer magnanimously allowing him to escape.
On the farm of Nivinston, in the parish of Kirkconnel,
there was actually a room in one of the farm buildings
set apart for mendicants, and known all around as the
"Beggars' Chamber." The occupier of the Nivinston
at that^ time was Mr Jenkins, a gentleman who belonged
to Wales, and who, with his wife, was endued with the
spirit of true country hospitality. It is not known if
undue advantage was ever taken of the kindness they
showed to homeless wanderers, but it is certain that

153

Nivinston acquired a wideepread notoriety, and that
many vagrants availed themselves of the generous pro-
vision made f 6r their comfort by the kind-hearted
farmer and his spouse. Similar free accommodation is
known to have been provided in Sanquhar parish at the
farm of Ulzieside^ where an outhouse was known as the
''beggars' quarters," and also at Bumfoot, where
was a " gaberlimzie's lodgings." But the " Beggars'
Chamber " of the Nivinston was the most noted of these
quasi almshouses. In fact, it provided not only a sleep-
ing place for mendicants, but at times, when any of the
gangrel tribe was seized with illness, it did duty as a
hospital, the wretched wanderers receiving all attention
from the kind-hearted farmer and his household, so that
among the outcast the name of Jenkins became the
synonym of all that was good.

In connection with this it is interesting to note that
the present-day representative of the charitable farmer
of the Nivinston has risen to high rank and honour in
his country's service. This is Sir James Jenkins of
Nivinston, Mannamead, Plymouth, who was created a
K.C.B. in 1887. He is the son of William Jenkins of
Nivinston, Kirkconnel, and grandson of William
Jenkins of Nivinston, Kirkconnel, and Janet Wilson,
daughter of James Wilson, and great-grand-daughter of
James Wilson of Polquhirter, the representative of an
old family that had held lands in the parish of Cum-
nock for several centuries. Sir James Jenkins is
honorary surgeon to the King. He was bom in 1818,
and married Sophia Pauline, daughter of Admiral Luck-
roft. She died in 1882. Sir James is an M.D. of
Qlasgow, and an M.R.C. He entered the Royal Navy
as assistant surgeon in 1841, became staff surgeon in
1863, deputy-inspector of hospitals in 1872^ and In-

164

ipootor-Oenerftl (retired) in 1878. He served in the
NftTftl Brigade before Sebastopol, 1854-5, for which he
received the Crimean medal, with claeps, tiie TurkiBh
medal, and the Legion of Honour. He was staff surgeon of
H.M hospital ships, Belleisle and Surinam, in China from
1857 to 1861 ; he was senior medical officer of the Ply*
mouth Division of the Royal Marine light Infantiy,
1861<*9; of the Royal Marine Artillery at Estrey,
1869-72; Deputy Inspector-Oeneral of Naval Hospital
at Bermuda, 1872-75 ; and of the Royal Naval Hospital
at Plymouth, 1875 to his retirement in 1878.

Sir James was^ as a boy, thought to be too delicate
for the management of land, and on that account was
placed under the care of his uncle^ Dr Wilson^ of Leeds.
He had a distinguished college and professional career;
and truly it may be said, apropos of Sir James and the
kind hospitality of his forebears, "never saw I the
righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread."
No doubt the courage, perseverance, and talent of Sir
James led to his uniform success; but still, it may be
assumed that Providence had marked out for favour the
son of such kindly ancestors as the Jenkins of Nivinston
showed themselves to be.

GENEALOGIES

OF

UPPERMOST NITHSDALE.

PREFACE.

Thk following Pedigrees are mainly part of the materials
ooUected for a History of the Barony of Sanquhar. The
information is chiefly derived from MSS. in the possession
of private families, and from the PttUic Records. The
compiler feels bound especially to mention gratefully the
kindncuM and courtesy of the late Mr Hunter Arundell,
who gave free and continued access to the valuable manu-
scripts at Barjarg, which formed the material collected for
a purposed County History of Dumfriesshire.

The Pedigrees are chiefly of an antiquarian interest,
the direct representatives of most of the families being
unknown— even the pedigree of the Lords of Sanqul^ar has
some uncertainty as regards, at least, its details.

GENEALOGIES.

CBioBTOire, LoKDs OF Sahquhab.
Cbiohtons of Rtbhill.
Cbichtons of Caboo.
Crichtons of Oaibland.
Cbichtons of Libbt.
Cbiohtons of Euook.
Dalziels of Eliook.
Yeitchss of Eliook.
M'Cbibicks of MObibiok's Caibn.
Williamsons of Castlb Bobbbt.
M'Maths of Dalpbddab.
Haibs of Olbnwhabbt.
M<Calls of Ouffockland.
Wilsons of Spanqo.
Bannattnes of Olbndynb.
Eylbs of Cobsenbuk.

CRICHTONS, LORDS OF SANQUHAR

The first of the Crichtons is said by Holinshed to
have come from Hungary, and to have been brought
into Scotland in 1067 by the Saxon Princess Margaret,
who became the wife of King Malcolm Canmore.

He obtained lands in Mid-Lothian from the King,
and, following the custom of the times, adopted as his
surname Crichton, the Celtic title of his possessions.

To the foundation charter of the abbacy of Holy-
rood by David I. in 1128, Thurstanus de Creichton is
a witness. William de Crichton is mentioned as
dominus de Crichton about 1240; and Thomas de
Crichton, supposed to be his son, was one of the barons
who in 1296 swore fealty to Edward I. By Eda his
wife he had two sons, who founded respectively the
families of Sanquhar and Frendraught.

Sir William de Crichton, the second son, married
Isabel de Ross, daughter of Sir Robert de Ross of Rye-
hill, and with her acquired half the barony of Sanquhar.
Sir Robert had predecessors in Ryehill, one or more
named John. The other half of the barony, with the
castle of Sanquhar, belonged to the Edgars, descendants
of Dunegal, lord of Stra'nith. The whole barony was
eventually acquired by Sir William Crichton, who,
with his wife Isabel had, in the reign of King Robert
Bruce, a charter of the half before belonging to the
Edgars. In consequence of this marriage with the

heiress of Ryehill, the Crichtons continued for many

11

162

generations to quarter the arms of the Bosses — a
chevron, chequy, between three water budgets — with
their own. Sir William had issue: —

William Cbichton, who is styled Dominus de
Sanquhar. From him descended: —

Sib Robert Cbichton, who was one of the Privy
Council of James I. and James II. He married
Catherine, daughter and heir to Sir Nicholas Erskine
of Kinnoul, in Perthshire, and with her acquired con-
siderable lands in that county. He had five sons and
four daughters, viz: — Robert, his heir; Edward, who,

for his services in suppressing rebellion and repelling
the English invasion of the Marches, received a charter
of the lands of Kirkpatrick — Dumfries, 28th August,
1472; Laurence, ancestor of the Crichtons of Bur-
mughty; Thomas and Patrick; Elizabeth, married to
Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig; Margaret, married
Sir David Herries of Terregles, ancestor of the Earls of
Nithsdale; Mary, married John Carlyle of Torthor-
old; and Christian, who married, firstly, James, Lord
Livingstone, secondly, Sir Robert Colville, and thirdly,
Alexander, Earl of March.

In 1439, 10th March, Alexander Sutherland, Lord of
Duff us, had a charter of 21 bovatas terre in YiUa
orientate de StraJbok, in the barony of Strabok, Lin*
lithgow, resigned by Robert de Crichton of Sanquhar.
Subsequently, in 1440, Robert had a charter of the
barony of Strabok from Alexander Sutherland of
Duffu8«

In 1450 he gave Longniddry in exchange for Eliock;
the chariier is dated. 1463.

Part of the lands of Kirkmichael belonged to him.

In 1440, April 27, Sir Robert de Crichton resigned

163

the barony of Sanquhar to the King, and obtained a
regrant. In 1450, March 31, there is a charter to Sir
Bobert Grichton of Sanquhar and his heirs of the lands
of Honthwailis, Stanyris, Knokkis, Twaithes, and the
£ve merk land of Wamphray. He was appointed
Coroner of I^ithsdale 8th January, 1468^ in succession
to Alexander M'Math of Dalpeddar. He was succeeded
by his eldest son.

Sib Robebt Cbichton (Ist Lobd), who was knighted
during his father's lifetime. He distinguished himself
greatly in the wars against Alexander, Duke of Albany,
and James, Earl of Douglas, when they invaded Scot-
land with the English in 1484. He had a charter of
the Sheriffdom of Dumfriesshire, August 20, 1484, in
return for his faithful services; and of the barony of
Sanquhar also in 1484. He or his father had a pre'
vious charter of the barony of Sanquhar from James
HI., April 23, 1464. He is described as Robert
Crichton, yoimger of Sanquhar, in the charter of the
Sheriffdom in 1484, so his father must then have been
living. He was created a peer of Parliament by the
title of Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, by James III., 29th
January, 1487. He married Lady Mary Stewart,
daughter of the Earl of Lennox, and had three sons
and four daughters, viz.: — Robert, his heir; John,
ancestor of the Crichtons of illiock; James, ancestor of
the Crichtons of Carco*; Marion, married to Malcolm
Crawford of Kilbirnie^ ancestor to the Viscounts Gar-
nock and Earls Crawford; Elizabeth, married to Sir
William Murray of Tullybarden, ancestor of the Dukes

* The authority for stating that John and James, sons of Sir R
Crichton, were respectively of Eliock and Carco is "The New
Peerage," published 1785.

164

of Athole; Christian, married John Lord Erskine;
Agnes, married John Sinclair, ancestor of the Earls of
Rosslyn.

He died in 1502, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

Robert, 2nd Lobd Crichton of Sanquhar, who
married Elizabeth Murray of Cockpool, ancestor of the
Earls of Annandale, by whom he had three sons and
three daughters, viz. : — William, his heir ; John,
ancestor, of the Crichtons of Ryehill, and whose
descendant, William, succeeded as seventh Lord
Sanquhar; David, whose posterity settled in Lreland;
Elizabeth, married John, Lord Yester, ancestor of the
Marquis of Tweeddale; Margaret, married Alexander
Hume of Polwarth, ancestor of the Earls of March-
mont ; and Agnes, married Patrick Ruthven, ancestor to
the Earls of Forth and Brentford.

In 1506, January 16, King James IV. granted a
charter to Robert Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, and his
heirs of '' the lands and barony of Craufordstone, now
" called Balmakane, which formerly belonged to the
" said Robert in property and tenantry, extending to
41 merks 10s, old extent, including Cairn of Crauford-
stone and one acre in property, and the rest in the
'* hands of tenants, viz. : — 8 merk land of Crauford-
stone; 6 merk land of Stewarton held by Cuthbert
Grierson ; 1 merk land of Clothoc by Walter Steward ;
" 1 merk land of Crossfurd by A. Brown and now by
" John Crichton of Hartwood ; 4 merk land of Gir-
"haught; 2^ merk land of Conranche; 32 S. land of
" Mirrie ; 1 merk land of Dungalstone ; 1 merk land of
" Darm; 1 merk land of Dalcounie; 10 S. land of Craig-
"darroch; 8 S. land of Cuketown; 20 S. land now
" called the Trinity Shilling land ; 1 merk land Chapel

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it

Neuk held by John Ferguson; 2^ merk land of
Auchenstrowan and Craigentailzie ; 2^ merk land of
" Craigbrian with Fingland ; 10s 8d land of Little
" Divane, along with 2^ merk land of Meikle Divane."

He exchanged the lands of Kirkpatrick-Irongray for
lands in Perthshire belonging to Crichton of Fren-
draught. In 1506, January 19, Frendraught had a
charter of Kirkpatrick-Irongray. In 1507, June 14,
Lord Sanquhar had a charter of the barony of Pan-
bride. He was succeeded by his son

William, San Lobd Crichton of Sanquhab. He
married Elizabeth, daughter of Malcolm, fourth Lord
Fleming, by whom he had Robert, his heir; Edward,
who succeeded as fifth Lord; Andrew, William, and
James; and Elizabeth and Margaret. In 1541, 28th
June, there is a disposition of Sir William Crichton of
Sanquhar, Sheriff-Principal of Dumfries, of the lands of
Cockpool, &c., to Janet Jardine, relict of Cuthbert
Murray of Cockpool.

Lord William had a grant of the patronage of the
church and chapel of Sanquhar, and of the ojQ&ce of
Sheriff and Coroner of Dumfriesshire, as heir to his
father Robert, on March 10, 1538. He granted, March
28,1542, a charter to Ninian Crichton of the lands of
Auchentaggart in the barony of Sanquhar. In 1545,
December 17, he had a gift of the non-entries, &c., of
the lands of Kilgroston, in the Sheriffdom of Perth.
In 1545, February 11, there is a regression to him of
the Mains of Drummy, in the barony of Ballygams,
Sheriffdom of Perth, assigned by the deceased Robert,
Lord Crichton, to Finlay Anderson, burgess of Perth;
and in 1546, August 7, there is a regression to him of
the lands of Ballindam, in the sheriffdom of Perth;

166

and again in 1548, February 6, there is another re-
gression to him and Elizabeth Fleming, his wife, of the
lands of Woodend of Elinnoiil, which pertained to the
deceased Robert, Lord Crichton. In 1546, February
3, there is a precept of clare constat by William,
Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, for infefting Margarel*
Crichton of Kirkpatrick, Lady Lochinvar, daughter and
heir of Robert of Kirkpatrick, in the £10 land of Belli-
bocht, Shawcastle, &c., on the death of James Crichton
of Kirkpatrick, her brother.

William, Lord Sanquhar, on the 11th June, 1550,
was stabbed to death by Robert, third Lord Semple,
in the palace of the regent of Scotland, the Duke of
Chatelherault. For this murder Lord Semple, beyond
the imposition of a fine, was allowed to go unpunished,
owing his life, it is said, to his daughter's corrupt in-
fluence over the Archbishop of St. Andrews, who
swayed his brother the Regent.

In 1550, June 24, there is a contract between
" William Lord Sempil, Ninian Lord Ross, Robert Lord
" Boyd, Robert Master of Sempil, Robert Sempyl,
*' his son and apparent heir, in name and behalf of the
** said Robert Master of Sempyl, and taking the burden
on them for him on the one part; — John Crichton,
'brother german to the deceased William Lord Crich-
^ ton of Sanquhar, and tutor of law to Robert Crichton,
** son and apparent heir to the deceased Lord and
'' Elizabeth Fleming, his relict ; John Lord Borthwick,
"James Lord Fleming, Robert Lord Maxwell, John
" Lord Hay of Tester, William Murray of Tullybardin,
''William Sinclair of Rosling, and Thomas Kirkpat-
rick of Closebum, as kinsmen and alliances to the
said deceased Lord; and the said John and Eliza-
beth for themselves, and taking the burden upon

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167

" them for the haill baimes and remnant kin and
''friends of the deceased Lord on that ither part; — in
" which contract the foresaid Lords and their colleagoet
" first contractors above written, for the amends to be
" made by the said Master of Sempil for the slaughter
'' of the deceased Lord Crichton of Sanquhar com-
" mitted by him, bind and oblige them to pay for the
"said Elizabeth the sum of JSIOOO for the virtuous up-
" bringing of the sons and daughters of the said
" deceased Lord Crichton, all brothers german to the
deceased William Lord Crichton, each in a life-rent
of 100 merks; also to infeft Edward Crichton second
son, Andrew Crichton third son, William Crichton
fourth son, and James Crichton youngest son to the
said deceased Lord Sanquhar, each in a specified life*
" rent. Also to obtain and deliver to Elizabeth Crich-
''ton, eldest daughter to the deceased Lord, the gift
" of the marriage of Allen Lord Cathcart, also to cause
Andro Semple second son of the said Robert Master
of Semple and apparent heir to the said Robert
" Semple his eldest son and apparent heir contract and
" compleit matrimony with Margaret Crichton youngest
daughter to the said deceased Lord. Also to fortify
Mr Robert Crichton Parson of Sanquhar in breaking
his tacks of the half fruits of the Kirk of Glencaime,
Dated at Edinburgh, 24th June, 1550." William
Crichton of Newhall, William Eilpatrick of Kirk-
michael, and others are witnesses. Robert Crichton is
procurator.

William was succeeded by his son,

ROBEBT, FOUBTH LoBD CrICHTON OV SaNQUHAB. He

married Margaret Cunningham. In 1557, May 24,
there is a gift to John Crichton tutor of Sanquhar of
the escheat of John Bannatyne in Cog by Robert Lord

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168

Sanquhar. In 1657, December 24, there is a regression
to Lord Sanquhar of the lands of Ballindam, Ross-
yochill, and others in the Sherififdom of Perth; and in
1561, November 10, there is a regression to him of the
lands of Elinnoul in the same county which had per-
tained to the deceased William Lord Crichton of
Sanquhar. He had charter of the barony of Sanquhar
in December, 1558. His wife Margaret Cunningham
had charter of the lands of Glenmuckloch, 2nd Decem-
ber, 1558. He died October, 1562, without issue, and
was succeeded by his brother,

Edward, fifth Lord Crichton of Sanquhar. He
married Margaret, daughter of Sir James Douglas of
Drumlanrig, and by her had a son Robert. In 1562-3
January 20, there is in Register of Deeds a Decreet
Arbitral between John Crichton of Ryehill and Edward
Lord of Sanquhar, ordaining the former to remove from
the Mains of Sanquhar, that the said Edward may enter
therein, also to pay Mr Robt. Crichton, parson of
Sanchare, as chaplain of Newark, the sum of £30 yearly.
In 1562, 16th April, he had a seisin of the barony,
church, and chapel of Sanquhar, and of the offices of
Sheriff and Coroner of Dumfriesshire, as heir to his
brother Robert. In 1563, June 1, there is a charter to
Edward Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, and Margaret
Douglas, his spouse, of the JS20 lands of Irongray, in
the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright.

Edward Lord Sanquhar took an active part in the
stirring times of the Reformation. Along with others
he entered into*an agreement for the defence of Queen
Mary when her marriage with Darnley raised disturb-
ances against her. But in 1567, along with Douglas of
Drumlanrig he is found drawing sword in opposition to

169

the Queen. He again, however, changed sides, joined
the Queen at Hamilton after her escape from Lochleven,
and fought for her at the battle of Langside. For this
offence Sanquhar Castle was besieged by the Regent
Murray in 1568, and forced to surrender. The testa-
ment of Edward Lord Sanquhar was given up by Robert,
his son, with consent of William Crichton, his brother-
in-law, and confirmed in 1573.

Robert, sixth Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, suc-
ceeded. He married Mary, daughter of George Farmer
of Easton, in Northamptonshire. He had, May 12,
1589, a seisin as heir to his father of the barony of
Sanquhar, &c., and all other properties belonging to his
father, and also offices. His father Edward had, it has
been stated, a natural son, David of Lugton, but the
David of Lugton of this date was brother to a Patrick,
son of David of Lugton, son of William third Lord
Crichton, who may have been the natural son of the
latter. David Crichton of Lugton had a charter from
Robert sixth Lord Crichton of Sanquhar of the bar-
onies of Sanquhar, Long Niddry, &c., 2nd December,
1602. This was of the nature of a resignation to the
Crown in favour of Lugton. In 1588, November 13,
David of Lugton resigns these baronies, &c., to Robert
Lord Crichton of Sanquhar and William, his natural
son, in case he. Lord Sanquhar, should have no lawful
issue. This was set aside by James VI. (see Ryehill),
but certain satisfaction was given to the natural son.
In 1619 William (filius naturalis) was served heir to his
father, Robert sixth Lord Sanquhar, in Glenmuckloch,
Guffockland, Knokengig, and Oversyde of Corseneuk;
an arrangement, however, after some trouble and litiga-
tion, was made by which he obtained a money satit-

170

faction. August 7, 1590, in Register of Privy Seal
there is a precept for Confirmation of Charter by Bobt.
Lord Crichton of Sanquhar to James Crichton of
Carcow of the barony of Sanquhar — Lord Crichton
straitened in means. It was at the instance of Robert
sixth Lord Sanquhar, that on the 29th August, 1598,
King James VI. granted a charter constituting Sanquhar
a Royal Burgh. In religion he was a Roman Catholic.
He accompanied King James to London, with other
Scottish nobles. A man of good accomplishments,
amongst other gifts he was an expert fencer. Wishing
to try his skill with John Turner, a fencing master, he
lost the use of an eye, at Lord Norrey's seat, 1605. The
King of France, with whom he was on excellent terms,
asked him on one occasion how he came by the accident,
and on hearing Lord Sanquhar's explanation, said
"Does the man yet live?" This observation rankled
in the mind of Lord Crichton, and on his return to
England he contrived with the aid of a servant to have
Turner assassinated. For this, and doubtless to appease
the jealousy of the English nobility who resented the
invasion of the Scots, he was executed at Westminster,
29th June, 1612. He was succeeded by

William, seventh Lobd Crichton of Sanquhar, styled
of Ryehill. He was the son of Robert, son of John,
the son of Robert second Lord Sanquhar. In 1613,
February, there is a precept of Clare Constat by William
Lord Crichton of Sanquhar to infeft John Crichton as
heir of James Crichton of Crawfordton in certain lands.
He had a charter of the barony of Glencairn, July 28,
1614. Robert Crichton of Ryehill, brother german to
William Lord Crichton, witnesses a charter of the lands
of Meikle and Little Dibbon, in the barony of Glen-

171

cairn, 1618. He was served heir to Robert sixth Lord
Sanquhar, 15th July, 1619. He had, however, assumed
the title and taken possession of Crichton Feel upon
the death of his predecessor, and entertained King
James VI. with great splendour at the castle in 1617.*

For further particulars of this nobleman see Crichtons
of Ryehill and Feerages.

CRICHTONS OF RYEHILL

Rtehill, situated a mile south of Sanquhar Castle,
takes its name from a most interesting piece of anti-
quity — the ancient mound close by the Nith, known aa
the ** Moat/' from which in olden times justice was
administered. Ryehill is synonymous with Moat Hill,
and is derived from the Saxon rye, rie, or ry, denoting
authority or dominion, and means, therefore, the " Hill
of Authority."

Formerly in possession of the Rosses, Ryehill passed
by marriage to the Crichtons, Lords of Sanquhar. The
residence is described in old deeds as a " tower or
fortalice," the site of which is now occupied by the
farmhouse of Ryehill. The property was 5 lbs., old
extent. The first of the Crichtons designated as ''of
Ryehill " was

John Crichton, son of Robert, Lord Crichton of
Sanquhar, and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Cuthbert
Murray of Cockpool. He is stated to have married
Mary, daughter of John Carmichael of Meadowflat, by
Jane daughter of Janoes Johnston of that Ilk, ancestor
to the Marquis of Annandale. He afterwards married
Christian Dalsdell as his second wife, and had a charter
to her and to himself of Ryehill in 1554. Christian
Dalziell is mentioned in deeds of 1540 and 1555 (Privy
Council Records). There is a Decreet Arbitral between
John Crichton of Ryehill and Edward Lord Crichton
of Sanquhar, ordaining the former to remove from the

174

Mains of Sanquhar that the said Edward Lord Crichton
of Sanquhar may enter therein; also to pay to Mr
Robert Crichton, parsone of Sanchar, as chaplain of
Newark, the snm of £40 yearly. At Edinburgh, 19th
June, 1562-3, James Cockbum is arbiter in a dispute for
John Crichton of Ryehill, and James Crichton of Sanchar,
for Lord Crichton; John Gordon of Lochinyar is over-
man. John Crichton also is named, 2nd December,
1558, in a charter of the lands of Wallace Cairn, Meikle
Carcow, &c. There is a complaint, 1581, by Christian
Dalziell, relict of John Crichton of Ryehill, to the Privy
Council that her ''tour and fortalice of Ryehill per-
taining to her in life rent or conjunct fee was invadit by
Robert her son," and relief sought.

Robert Cbichton, son of John, married Catherine
Crawford of the Lefnorris (Dumfries House) family.
In 1594 there is found a caution by Robert Crichton of
Ryehill, in 1000 merks, and George Shaw of Glenmure,
as surety for him, that the Council and Bailies of
Sanchar shall receive no harm for him. He is named
22nd January, 1554, as son and heir to his father,
John Crichton of Ryehill, in a charter to Mr
Robert Crichton, Rector of Sanquhar, and chaplain of
St. Nicholas, Newark. He got into difficulties, and
became indebted to James M'Math of Castle Gilmour,
who apprized Ryehill for 7100 merks. For non-pay-
ment he was put to the horn, 16th January, 1606, and
the escheat of his lands and goods given to James
M'Rerik of Cairn, 20th May, 1606.

WnjJAic C&iCHTON of Ryehill married Euphemia^
daughter of James Seton of Touch. He witnesses the
marriage contract of James M'Rerik of Cairn and
Marion Crawford in 1607. There is in Register of

175

Deeds, June 1608, an assignation by James M'Berik of
Xerne or Cairn, in favour of Catherine Crawford,
relict of Robert Crichton of Byehill, of a gift
of the escheat of said Robert which was granted under
the Privy Seal to the said James, 20th May, 1606, dated
at Edinburgh, 21st May, 1607. In 1608, WUliam
Crichton is mentioned in connection with the Border
Marches. In the Privy Council Records, 26th August,
1609, he is found cautioner for John Carmichael in
Spoth not to harm Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar,
caution 2000 merks. In 1613 he is found on the com-
mission of the peace. On :<27th May, 1613, in con*
sequence of the death of Robert, Lord Crichton of
Sanquhar, and the dispute respecting the office of
Sheriff-Principal of Dumfries between the late Lord
Crichton and William Crichton, Ryehill, Sir Robert
Dalsdell of Eliock is appointed to that office. William
Crichton, however, is appointed Sheriff of Dumfries
1618. In July of the previous year, having taken up
his abode in Sanquhar Castle, he entertained King
James the Sixth there, when, in an exuberance of loyalty
he burnt, in the presence of the King, an acknowledg-
ment of a debt due by His Majesty for borrowed money,
an act said to be the main cause of the Sanquhar estates
shortly afterwards being sold.

On November 3rd, 1602, Robert, sixth Lord Crichton,
resigned to the Crown the Barony of Sanquhar, &c., in
favour of David Crichton of Lugton; and on December
2nd, 1602, Crichton of Lugton resigned to the Crown in
favour of Lord Robert Crichton and his natural son,
William, in case Lord Robert should have no lawful
issue, with letters procuratorial for that effect, had a
consequent charter, precept and seisin on each of these
resignations containing severally the lordship and barony

176

of Sanquhar, with the Mills, patronage, and all other
dependences, the 8 merk land of Glenmuckloch, 2 merk
land of Fardin, 3 merk land of Ouffockland, 6 merks of
Knockengig, 2 merks, old extent, of upper part of Corse-
neuk; the lands and barony of Crawfordton with offices
of Sheriff and Coroner of Dumfriesshire, with divers
other lands in Kirkcudbright, Tranent, Lithgow, and
elsewhere, all granted de novo, and united into one
Lordship called the Lordship of Sanquhar, rendering
all that account for ward and non entry, when they
happen £800, Scots, yearly; and for the right of
marriage £2000 Scots. The charter, precept, and sasine
for Crichton of Lugton is dated December 2nd, 1602,
and March 18th, 1603, and the other July 29th and
September 25th, 1609.

Crichton of Carco had a lien on the barony of
Sanquhar, &c., and there are letters under the Privy
Seal for the resetting of Robert, Lord Crichton in the
baronies of Sanchar and Crawfordton, when he shall
redeem them from Crichton of Carco, to whom he had
alienated them, August 7th, 1590. They were redeemed
from Carco, but a claim to the barony of Sanchar was
made by William, natural son of Robert, Lord Crichton,
at the death of the latter, in consequence of the charter
to him of the lands as mentioned above. This was
adjusted as below. On November 6th, 1613, William
Crichton of Ryehill, had service as heir-at-law to his
cousin germane, Robert, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar.
Then March 16th and August 20th, 1618, there is crown
charter and seisin to him of the Baronies of Sanchar
and Crawfordton, with patronage and rights of herit-
able offices in terms of letters of regression then made
good to him, in that he had redeemed the said lands
from Carcow. The seisin is registered at Dumfries,

177

December 20thf 1618. Before this there is a disposi-
tion of William Crichton, now eaUed Lord SanquhctTy
and his subsequent letters of ratification to Mr Alex-
ander Seton of Gargunnoch of the Baronies of Sanchar
and Crawfordton, with divers others, January 29th,
1613, and April 5th, 1613; and also Mr Alexander
Seton's backbond to the said Lord Sanquhar acknow-
ledging all rights of the estate of Sanquhar then vested
in him to be deed of trust designed for the use of Lord
Sanquhar himself. May 19th, 1614. He had charter of
the Barony of Glencaim, July 28th, 1614. On May
18th, 1614, there is the King's (James YI. of Scotland)
decreet arbitral under the great seal taking away the
pretence of William, natural son of Robert, Lord
Sanchare, the heir to his father by provision, and
adjudging that the whole lordship and estate and honours
belong to the above Mr Alexander Seton of Oargun-
noch, in right of William, Lord Sanchar, the heir of the
family, and of Crichton of Carcow, a creditor by inf eft-
mentj but allowing to the natural son an equitable
satisfaction in land or money, as funds should deter-
mine, and then ordering him to compose titles and to
divest in favour of his competitor. May 2nd, 1614;
registered in Books of Council, May 18th, 1614.

William the natural son of Robert, the late Lord
Sanchare, had seisin of the whole lordship in conse-
quence of a chancery precept upon his special service
as heir of provision to his father, July 18th, 1619. On
November 19th, 1618, there is a ratification by William,
natural son of late Lord Sanchare, of the decreet arbitral
before mentioned, containing a voluntary renunciation
of all his pretensions after receiving the satisfaction there
awarded to him; and likewise a formal disposition of

the estate and letters procutorial for resignation in

12

178

favour of William^ Lord Crichton, as the person pointed
at in the King's decreet arbitral though under a bor-
rowed name, viz., that of Mr Alexander Seton of 6ar-
gunnock, the latter being only trustee on Lord Sandiar's
behalf. This is registered in books of Coundl, 1621.
There is also his resignation to the crown and a con-
sequent charter, precept, and seisin of the whole lord-
ship and estate of Sanchar, comprehending the barony
of Crawf ordton, and all the lands, baronies, patronages,
and offices named above; containing likewise the barony
of Glencaim, resigned by Lord Sanchar himself, with all
patronage belonging to that barony, then united to the
rest, and incorporated in the barony of Sanchar. The
Bedendo is as follows: —

For the barony of Glencaim a pair of spurs, gilt, and,
for the rest, the taled ward duties mentioned above,
July 20th and August 19th, 1619. Seisin registered
at Dumfries August 3 1st, 1619. William, Lord
Crichton of Sanquhar, had diploma as Viscount Ayr,
February 2nd, 1622, and a charter of the lands and
barony of Cumnok from King Charles I., March 20th,
1630. His diploma as Earl of Dumfries is dated June
12th, 1633. In xo37 he parted with the barony of
Sanquhar. On December 13th of that year there is a
disposition by Wilm. Earl of Dumfries to William, Ear]
of Queensberry and his heirs male, of the baronies of
Glencaim and Crawfordton, with the Burghs of Barony,
and the mills, woods, fishings, and other appurtenances;
registered in the books of seisin, June 22nd, 1638; also
the minute of a wadset right, and the contract of the
wadset itself made by Lord Dumfries, and likewise by
his son William, Lord Sanquhar, and by their
creditors in the estate of Sanquhar, viz.. Sir David
Crichton of Lugton, James Crichton of Abercromby,

179

and Robert Crichton of Byehill, with their joint re-
signation to the crown, and a consequent charter, pre-
cept, and seisin of the wadset lands in favour of the
Earl of Queensberry, and his heirs male, of the barony
of Sanquhar with the patronage and other dependencies ;
and also the barony of Cumnock and Olenmure, lying
in ELing's Kyle in Shire of Aire. The wadset sum
£200,000 Scots and the wadset contract, which is dated
December 14th, 1637, is registered in the Books of
Council, January 19th, 1639. The resignation of the
Earl of Dumfries dated December 19th, 1637, the charter
and precept, January 16th, and the seisin, February
27th, are registered at Dumfries, March 1st, 1638. Two
bonds of the same by Lord Dumfries and his son to
the Earl of Queensberiy for what they had borrowed
at that time over and above the wadset above men-
tioned, viz., a bond for 9333 merks, and another for
30,669 merks, both dated December 14th, 1637, and
registered in books of seisin, August 25th, 1638; also
the Earl of Queensberry's apprizing from them of the
baronies of Sanquhar, Crawfordton, Glencairn, Glen-
mure, and Cumnock, in satisfaction of 61,773 merks, as
the amount of both these bonds and likewise of same
tack' and duties on account of the above wadset which
had not been cleared, contrary to the condition of that
right, April 10th, 1639. Articles of alienation and a
formal contract of sale in consequence of these articles
was made by William, Lord Dumfries and also by his
son William, Lord Crichton, as proprietors of the estate
of Sanquhar, and by Sir David Crichton of Lugton,
James Crichton of Abercrombie, Alexander Seton of
Gargunnoch, and by divers others as creditors having
claims on that estate with a consequent instrument of
possession, and also a resignation to the crown by the

180

Earl of Dumfries and Cr«chion of Ryehill in favour of
the Earl of Queensberry and his heirs male of his
marriage by Dame Stewart, his spouse at that time, but
in failure of them to his heirs male, and assigns what-
ever of the whole lordship and barony of Sanquhar with
the patronage of that parish and of all churches and
chapels therein belonging, viz., the lands named above,
the nether merk land of Nether Kirkcudbright, the
3 lb. land of Carcow only excepted, and all other parts
of these baronies whether lands, mills, woods, salmon
fishing lying naturally and locally within the bounds
of any of these, the lands of ELirkpatrick and Kirk-
michael alone excepted, with all tacks or rights of
teinds granted to the sellers or to their predecessors,
particularly a hereditary right of the whole teinds,
parsonage, and vicarage of the parish of Kirkconnel as
derived to them from the patron James, Earl of Annan-
dale. This contract, which is dated August, 1642, and
September, 1643, and registered in the books of sasine,
contains likewise a ratification of the wadset, right and
inf eftment mentioned above, and of the decreet appriz-
ing and renouncing the power of redeeming either, ex-
cept when they relate to he baronies of Cumnock and
Olenmuir, or to Kirkpatrick and those other lands re-
served from this sale, all which the Earl of Queensberry
gives up, retaining only a cautionary security in the
Barony of Cumnock in case Crichton of Ryehill should
not be able to fulfil this contract when he comes of age.
The resignations to the crown bear date July 28th, 1642.
There is another renunciation by Lord Dumfries of the
power of redeeming the original wadset or right of
apprizing before named, in order to support his former
renunciation which had not been recorded in due time
and place — August 9th, 1642 — registered at Edinburgh

181

in the General Register of reversions, kc, September
23rd, 1643; also claims of Mr A. Seton, Sir D.
Crichton of Lugton, and of the other two creditors
given up to the Earl of Queensberry at the date of this
transaction.

There is a charter and seisin to William, Earl of
Dumfries, of the 5 pound land of Byehill, granted to him
by James M'Math of Castle-Oilmour, who had apprized
them from the owner, Robert Crichton of Ryehill, for
the payment of 7100 merks, dated July 16th and August
22nd, 1606. The seisin is registered at Dumfries,
August 31st, and also a confirmation by the chaplain
of St. Nicholas as superior, February 9th, 1606; and a
confirmation of Ryehill himself as Proprietor, contain-
ing likewise a discharge of the power of redemption,
January 18th, 1606, and a new disposition of the lands
of Ryehill with original rights granted by the Earl of
Dumfries and his son, with consent of Ryehill, Lugton,
<&c., creditors in favour of the Earl of Queensberry and
his heirs male as formerly, August, 1642, and September,
1643; and registered in the books of seisin, December
4th, 1644.

Thus the lands of Ryehill passed from the Crichtons
to the Douglasses, and the representative of the
Crichtons of Ryehill appears after this as of Glenmuir.

Robert Crichton, brother of William, Earl of Dum-
fries (formerly of Ryehill), succeeded. He married
Agnes M'Brair, daughter of Robert M'Brair of Alma-
gill, 31st May, 1621. He got with her a tocher of 6000
merks. The marriage contract was with the consent
of Lord Crichton of Sanquhar. Robert died in 1640.
In March, 1643, there is a contract between William,
Earl of Dumfries, and Agnes M'Brair, relict of Robert

182

Crichton of Byehill, and Robert Crichton, his son and
heir.

Robert Crichton succeeded. By deed of tailze by
JameSy second Earl of Annandale, he changed his name
to Murray. On the 30th July, 1655, there is a dis-
position by Sir Robert Murray, alias Crichton, to James,
his brother germane. He obtained and is styled of
Glenmure, before 1656. On the 17th of October of that
year there is a contract between James, Earl of Annan-
dale as son and heir to John, to which Sir Robert
Crichton or Murray of Glenmure consents.

Robert Crichton, now Murray, seems to have had a
charter of Kirkpatrick, June 7th, 1663. On the 7th
August, 1663, personal protection is granted to Sir
Robert Murray, alias Crichton of Glenmure, for all
debts, and civil causes, for the space of one year there-
after.

On 4th February, 1668, there is an assignation of the
bonds due by the M'Brairs to Provost John Irving of
Dumfries by Sir Robert Murray, alias Crichton of Glen-
mure, as son and heir of Robert Crichton of Ryehill, his
father, by Agnes M'Brair, his mother, and James, John,
William, Elizabeth, Katherine, and Isobel, his brothers
and sisters lawful. In 1685 there is a summons at the
instance of Sir Robert Murray and Thomas Rome of
Cluden against Robert M'Brair of Netherwood, for pay-
ment of a bond transferred by Provost Irving, and now
possessed by Thomas Rome, upon which a long and ex-
pensive litigation took place. Sir Robert Murray,
alias Crichton, died in 1700, in which year, 15th
September, there is a deed in which his two daughters
are named as co-heiresses.

Arms of Lord Sanquhar. — Argent, a lion rampant.

183

azure. Crest — A dragon's head, cooped, vest, spouting
fire. Motto—" God send Grace."

The representative of the ancient and noble house of
Sanquhar, whom God long preserve, is Sir John Crichton-
Stuart, Marquis of Bute; Earl of Windsor; Viscount
Mount joy, of the Isle of Wight; Baron Mount Stuart,
of Wortley, co. York; Earl of Dumfries, Viscount Ayr,
and Lord Crichton of Sanquhar and Cumnock, Earl of
Bute, Viscount Kingatt, Lord Mountstuart, Cumrae,
and Lichmamock, in Scotland; a Baronet of Nova
Scotia. His Lordship was bom 20th June, 1881, and
succeeded his father, 1900.

THE CRICHTONS OF CARGO.

The lands of Carco ("Winding Hollow") are in the
parish of Kirkconnel, pleasantly lying on the right bank
of the water of Crawick, about three miles from its con-
fluence with the River Nith, and stretching northwards
up the steep but verdant slopes of the Bale Hill, the
Cocker Hill, and the heights of Glenguffock and Spango.

The Carco lands included the farms of Carco, Carco-
side, Carco Mains, and Knockenstob, with outlying pro-
perties which varied in extent from time to time.

The tower which was the original seat of the owners
of these lands stood upon the height above the present
farmhouse of Carco, known now as Chapel Hill; but
some time in the last quarter of the sixteenth century
it was abandoned, and the family occupied the build-
ings of an old religious house or monastery, the site of
which is now occupied by the farm house of Orchard.
A font-stone and some fine old trees, the remnants of a
magnificent avenue, are all that remain of what must
have been a pleasant abode.

The first of the Crichtons of Carco was James
Cbichton, son of Robert Crichton, first Lord Sanquhar,
by Mary Stewart, daughter of John, Earl of Lennox.

James Crichton. — There is remission to James
Crichton of Carco for theft, October 30th, 1535. On
the 28th June, 1541, James Crichton of Carco is men-
tioned as deputy of Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, Sheriff

186

of Dumfries (in connection with the lands of Cockpool).
He died before 1548.

James Cbichton. — On 14th April, 1556, there is a
Tack to James Crichton of Carcow of the two merk
land of Konrig, in the barony of Sanquhar, and one
merk land of Stewarton, in the barony of Crawfordton,
by John Dowgall, burgess of Edinburgh, whose family
had till after the end of the century considerable pro-
perty in and around Sanquhar. James Crichton of
Carko had gift of the escheat of Ninian Crichton in
Cairn, and Edward Crichton of Lethanalone, in Kirk-
connel, February 26th, 1563. (Privy Seal.) Jime
20th, 1562-3, he had a tack from Mr William
Blackadder of the Vicarage of Kirkconnel, with
the manor-place, &c., for five years at the rent
of 112 merks. He witnesses the will of James
M'Math of Dalpeddar in 1568. On August 24th, 1568,
there is gift to Elizabeth Crichton of Carcow, of the
ward, non-entries, &c., of the lands of Stewarton, in the
Sheriffdom* of Dumfries. Same date there is Charter to
James Crichton of the lands of Buchenslot and others,
by Edward, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar.

On July 28th, 1569, there is gift to James Crichton
of Carcow, of the ward non-entries, &c., of Stewarton
and others pertaining to John Crichton of Crawford.
James Crichton 's wife was Margaret Crichton, who died
in 1577, and left issue Robert, William, Patrick, Agnes,
and Margaret.

John Crichton, apparent of Carco, is a witness in 1581
to the marriage contract of John, heir apparent to
Thomas Kilpatrick of Alisland, and Barbara Stewart,
sister of Alexander Stewart of Garlics. (Ramage's
"Drumlanrig and the Douglases.") John Crichton

187

also witnesses a Charter of the King to John M'Math,
second son of James M'Math, 15th December, 1586.

RoBEBT Crichton. — On December 4th, 1585, there is
a gift to Robert Crichton of Carcow of the escheat of
the deceased John Flemyng in Postacher for non-pay-
ment of teinds to the Vicarage of Kirkconnel. When
apparent of Carco, he is named in the will of John
Fnllerton in Kirkconnel, 28th March, 1597. He died
let January, 1598. His wife was Agnes Charters,
sister of the Laird of Amisfield.

William Cbichton of Carcow, brother of the pre-
ceding, was served heir to the lands of Over Kaime,
January 11th, 1601. For alleged ofiPence against John
M'Math he was imprisoned for one and a half years by
Lord Crichton of Sanquhar and said John M'Math.
And the pursuers so arranged that he would die in prison.
Repeated applications for release were made to the
Lords in secret Council, and at last Mr Patrick
Crichton, advocate, his brother, appearing for him, he
was released, he and Mr Patrick finding surety, the one
in 1000 merks, and the other in 500 merks. At this
time the barony of Sanquhar was pledged to the
Crichtons of Carco, James Crichton having by mortgage
become the possessor August 7th, 1590. Doubtless
Lord Crichton wished revenge or to relieve himself from
his obligations. Ultimately, the lands were redeemed
from William Crichton in 1619.

James Cbichton, on March 12th, 1622, is retoured
'' in terris ecclesiastisis de ELirkconnel extendentibus ad
40 solidates terrarum cum decimus in baronia de
Sanquhar." July 20th, 1624, James Crichton of
Carco and Florence Maxwell, his wife, are named in a
deed. In May 22nd, 1630, he witnesses instrument of

188

reaignation of John Qrienon of Barjarg. He is stated
to be heir to Magister Robert Crichton, William, his
predecessor, being his uncle. James Crichton's mother
was Agnes Charters.

William Cbichton, from 1645 to 1647, was the repre-
sentative in the Scottish Parliament, chosen from
Sanquhar.

RoBBBT Cbichton, commissioucr representing Sanqu-
har at the Convention of Royal Burghs, 1656.

William Cbichton, from 1690 to 1702, represented
Suiquhar in the Scottish Parliament.

John Cbichton of Carco, from 1719 to 1720, was one
of the Commissioners representing Sanquhar at the
Conventon of Royal Burghs. He was chamberlain to
the Duke of Queensberry. He was also a justice of the
peace, and Provost of Sanquhar from 1719 till his
death in January, 1734.

Abbaham Cbichton, brother to the preceding, suc-
ceeded to Carco in 1734, special service being granted.
May, 1735, as heir to his brother. He had been established
as a merchant in Sanquhar by his brother, and was
Bailie of Sanquhar Town Council in 1732, and succeeded
his brother in the Provostship. While he was chief -
magistrate a commencement was made with the build-
ing of the Sanquhar Council House. Abraham became
embarrassed in his affA*s, and was declared bankrupt
in 1741. He had to part with the Carco property, the
farm of Carco passing to the Duke of Queensberry, and
Carcoside and Carco Mains to Ninian Scott. Among
the creditors on his estate were John M'Cririck of
Cairn (Dumfries Sasines, Vol. 16, page 447), and Robert
Alison, shoemaker in Sanquhar, who obtained a decree

189

against him before the Sheriff for certain sums. (Will
of Abraham Crichton given up by Phillis Grant, spouse
to the said Robert Alison). Abraham Crichton died
in 1746, the result of a fall from his horse near Dal-
peddar. He it is who has been made famous by the
stories of the wonderful doings of his ghost. He does
not appear to have had any sons, and had seemingly
only one daughter, who after her father's death went
to reside in Whitehaven. James Kennedy, the
Sanquhar poet, in the edition of his works published in
1848, quotes an interesting document drawn up by this
daughter, who was named Janet. It is dated 1750, and
is a legally stamped document by which the said Janet
Crichton sells a pew in Sanquhar Church to her uncle.
Provost Charles Crichton, '' as only child and heir to
Abraham Crichton, late of Sanquhar, deceased, who was
brother and heir to my uncle, John Crichton of Carco,
late Provost of Sanquhar, in consideration of the sum
of one pound one shilling, all that pew or seat, late the
said John Crichton's and Abraham Crichton's situated
in the body of the Parish Church of Sanquhar fronting
the heritors' seat there."

Charles Cbichton, above mentioned, the brother of
Abraham, was Provost of Sanquhar, 1742 and 1743.
He was a merchant in the burgh, and held in much
esteem by the townsfolk. He left several descendants,
who latterly were in but poor circumstances. Charles,
Peter, and Marion Crichton, his great grand children,
were the last known living representatives in a direct
line of the house of Carco. All three died a little over
£fty years ago, Charles and Marion in Sanquhar, and
Peter in a cottage near Dumfries House, to which some
years before his death he was removed by his noble kins-
man, the Marquis of Bute, who as well as former holders

190

of the title, to their lasting honour be it said, on
several occasions sent kindly help to the less fortunate
scions of an ancient and honourable family.

To the house of Carco, although not in the direct line,
belonged James Crichton, who was Provost of Sanquhar
from 1764 to 1772. He had two sons, John and James.
John Crichton was a writer, and was town-clerk of
Sanquhar from 1789 to 1807. He was married to
Barbara Kennedy of Knocknalling, daughter of Robert
Kennedy of Knocknalling, by his wife, Margaret
Alexander. He lived in the dwelling-house near the
Sanquhar Council House, dignified by the name of
"Crichton Hall." James Crichton, his brother, was a
medical man. He made a large fortune in
China and India, where for many years he was
in the service of the East India Company. Re-
turning to Sanquhar in 1808, he purchased the
estate of Friars' Carse, and in 1810 married Elizabeth,
daughter of Sir Robert Grierson, fifth baronet of Lag.
He left no children. Dr Crichton's considerable for-
tune went mainly to found the Crichton Royal Institute
for the treatment of the insane, and a portion also went
for the erection and endowment of the Crichton School
at Sanquhar.

Arms. — The arms of the Crichtons of Carco were those
of Lord Sanquhar, with a crescent for difference, viz. —
Argent, a lion rampant, azure. Crest — A dragon's
head, couped, vert, spouting fire. Motto: —

"God send Grace."

CRICHTONS OF GAIRLAND.

The property of Gairland, or Gareland {** short land/'
from the Gaelic geartf really means a slip of fertile
land in a barren situation), was one merk of old extent.
It is sometimes called Garglen. It is in the parish of
Kirkconnel, and occupies the uplands north of the upper
reaches of the Water of Spango lying in Robert Moor.

The superior of the lands in 1569 was Kirkpatrick of
Closebum, who granted, February 1st, 1569, a charter
to Andrew Wilson for the payment of 18 merks yearly feu
duty. These lands were resigned by Andrew to Kirkpat-
rick for the use of his nephew, Andrew Wilson, July
28th, 1594. On May 24th, 1656, Andrew Wilson
grants a charter of alienation to William Crichton of
Spoth, and also to Crichton' s son, who is styled

William Crichton of "Gairland." This William,
as his tombstone in Sanquhar Kirkyard shows, reached
the patriarchal age of 103 years.

William Crichton, son of the preceding, has on
March 23rd, and July 6th, 1667, a charter and seisin
of Gareland granted by the Earl of Queensberry upon
the resignation of his father. He died aged 84 years,
and was succeeded by his son,

Abraham Crichton, who, September 7th, 1686,
resigned the lands of Gareland to the Duke of Queens-
berry, who had become superior, and had a charter from
the Duke, and a consequent precept and seisin as heir,
June 9th, 1705, and July 2nd, 1706. Abraham
Crichton was Provost of Sanquhar from 1714 to 1718;
and is famous on account of his having raised a body

192

of the towiiBmen to assist in repelling the '15 Rebellion.
The Rev. Peter Rae of Kirkconnel, in his History of
the Rebellion, says that an alarm was raised that the
rebels were about to seize the town of Dumfries, and
that help being asked, assistance came in from all parts
of the country, " Amongst whom was Abraham Chreigh-
ton of Gareland, Provost of Sanquhar, with a company
of Foot from thence, who being informed that the
Enemy had invested the Town, mounted themselves on
Country Horses, for the greater Expedition, and arrived
at Dumfries on Friday," October 14th, 1715. Abraham
died, aged fifty years. His wife, Grizel ^aitland, lived
to be eighty. He was succeeded by his son,

Alexander Cbichton, who, as heir to his father, had
precept and seisin of the lands of Gareland and also
Castle Robert, granted by the Duke's Commissioners,
May 2nd, 1743, and July 12th, 1746. He is retoured
as heir to his father Abraham and grandfather William,
August 5th, 1746. He resigned to His Grace the Duke
of «^ Queensberry the lands of Gareland, Castle Robert,
dec, July 15th, 1746. Registration at Dumfries, July
17tl, 1746.

The lands belonging to this family, in addition to
Gairland, were a sixteenth part of the church lands of
Durisdeer, except the third part of a rood reserved to
the Rector, disposed to Crichton of Gairland, April 1st,
1717. Crichton of Gairland had sasine of the lands of
Castle Robert, July 19th, 23rd, 1703. Gairland had
given £6026 for it, and had the Duke of Queensberry's
charter, &c., April 26th, 1711, and May 2nd, 1743.

A di&position was granted Crichton of Gairland by
Helen Crichton in right of her mother Janet Heuk, and
by her husband, James Crichton, of the lands called
Drycroft, with the adjacent meadows, both under pledge

193

to them for payment of 100 merks. On January 2drd,

1707, disposition was granted to Crichton of Oairland
by William Jameson, glazier, in Edinburgh, of Dubbes-
land, Cowfoot Hill, Pulvernock, Boyd's Land, Jameson's
Land, and divers other pieces of ground and houses in
and about Sanquhar. A disposition was granted by
Robert Park, Provost of Sanquhar, September 14th,

1708, of a meadow called Longcleuch. There is dis-
position to Crichton of two great tenements in Sanquhar
called Jameson's land, and both parcels of land called
Burnt Land, Loaning Croft, Rowantree Dale, Goose-
dubs, Roddings, Drycroft, and the meadow adjoining,
from Bailie William Jameson, for payment of £220
Scots. Also there are dispositions by Mary, daughter
of George Kerr, sometime Chamberlain of Sanquhar, con-
taining four dales of land at Blackadge, October 19th,
1713. Likewise dispositions by Alexander Crichton, late
Bailie of Sanquhar, of another dale of land on the
south side of Sanquhar, given in exchange for half an
acre on the east and north side. May 12th, 1716.

On the 21st July, 1725, Gairland made an adjudica-
tion of all the lands mentioned to William Tait and
other creditors for the sum of £7285 Scots.

Alexander Crichton of Gairland disposed to the Duke
of Queensberry, April 21st, 1746, all his lands of Gair-
land, Castle Robert, Blackadge — 39 acres, 2 roods —
sixteenth part of church lands of Durisdeer,' with all
other lands, houses, and parcels 'Of ground belonging to
him. Registered as already stated, at Dumfries, Jidy
17th, 1746.

Alexander Crichton was a merchant in Sanquhar, and

occupied a house which stood in the High Street, nearly

opposite the Royal Bank, called " The Great House of

Gairland."

13

CRICHTONS OF LIBRY.

The lands of Libri, Liberi, or Libry {" abode of
lepers *') lie on the west side of the Nith, in the parish
of Kirkconnel, and included, when a separate property,
Kelloside, Rig, Racks, &c. Libri is mentioned in a
charter by King Robert the Bruce to Richard Edgar,
grandson of Dunegal, lord of Strathnith, to whom the
lands had belonged in the 12th century.

Edwabd Cbichton of Liberie, and a son or grandson
of Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, witnessed at the Church
of Cumnok an attempted arrangement to redeem the
lands of Cragenes and Holehouse, 10th November, 1548.

John Crichton of Libere is witness to a charter of
William, Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, and Kinnoule,
15th August, 1549.

Edwabd Cbichton. — In the Register of the Privy
Seal there is a gift to him of the ward of the lands of
Glengep, lying in the barony of Sanquhar, which
belonged to the deceased William, Lord Crichton of
Sanquhar, 2nd January, 1551. He and William, his
son and heir, are witnesses to a charter to Mr Robert
Crichton, Rector of Sanquhar, 22nd January, 1554.

William Cbichton. — In Privy Seal Register there is
recorded a gift of the pension of 100 merks to William
Crichton, younger of Libere, and failing him by decease
to Andrew and Robert, his brothers, dated July 11th,

196

1568. He also had gift of the escheat of John
M'Naught, tenant in Moss Mark, in the Sheriffdom of
Ayr, 19th May, 1583. He died at Pierston or Dreg-
horn, 9th September, 1597. His will was confirmed
25th Jane, 1599, cautioner being David Follerton,
brother to the laird of Dreghom. William Crichton
married Margaret Mure, and left issue William, John,
and Susannah.

WiLLiAif CsiGHTON had a gift under the Privy Seal
of the escheat of John M'Millan of Craigenputtock,
May 18th, 1585. In 1605 Sir Robert Crichton of Cluny
is caution for William Crichton not to harm Sir Thomas
Kirkpatrick of Closebum. In 1607 he was Sheriff
deputy of Dumfries. Some little time before this the
property must have been parted with, though in 1635,
December 23rd, William Crichton of Libere witnesses
the resignation of lands of Stronshalloch, in the barony
of Olencaim.

ELIOCK.

THE CRICHTONS.

The estate of Eliock (" little rock "), with its fine old
mansion — the only one now left in Uppermost Niths-
(lale — lies on the right bank of the Nith, about two
miles south-east of the town of Sanquhar. It is beauti-
fully wooded, and many of the trees are of great age and
size. The mansion house is a plain but commodious
building. Its position, however, is one of great beauty,
commanding an extensive view of the surrounding
country, and not without its strategic value in days
when a secure holding was deemed of first importance.
It is rendered exceedingly picturesque by a heavy
mantling of ivy. That a great part of the edifice is of
very considerable antiquity there can be little doubt,
and in the wing facing the Nith is shown the room
where, over three hundred and forty years ago, the
famous '* Admirable Crichton " first saw the light.

The old extent of the lands of Eliock was 40 solidatis,
40 den., terrarum, with fortalice, manor, &c., also 40
solidatis in Euchan, in the barony of Sanquhar.

Before 1450 the lands of Eliock belonged to Charteris
of Amisfield, when Robert Crichton, of Sanquhar, first
Lord, exchanged the lands of Long Niddry for them.
The charter is dated 1463. He had charter of the
barony of Sanquhar and Eliock, 21st October, 1464.
According to the "New Peerage," published in 1785,
John, son of the above Lord Robert, was the ancestor

198

of the Crichtons of Eliock and Cluny. Pitcaim (I. 232)
mentions, 4tti Feb., 1515-16, John Crichton in Eliock.

In 1551, Feb. 10, there is recorded in the Register of
the Privy Seal a tack to Mb Robebt Cbichton of the
lands of Eliock which pertained to the deceased Lord
William of Sanquhar. On May 30, 1558, there is a
charter to Robert Crichton of Eliock and Elizabeth
Stewart, his spouse, of the lands of Rossyochill, in the
Sheriffdom of Perth. On Feb. 8, 1559, he was ap-
pointed Queen's Advocate. In 1562 he was presented
by Robert Crichton, bishop of Dunkeld, a kinsman,
with the estate of Cluny in Perthshire. Cluny was the
property of the See of Dunkeld ; but the chapter, antici-
pating a forfeiture by the Crown, consented to the
alienation. On May 11, 1566, the bishop granted a
charter in which James Crichton (afterwards known aa
" the Admirable Crichton ") was designated the heir to
the property; and this arrangement was confirmed by
the next bishop on 22nd March, 1576. Among the
witnesses to this latter charter was Patrick M'Crerick,
burgess of Sanquhar. On 5th January, 1567, there is
a gift to Mr Robert Crichton of Eliock of the escheat of
Mr James Crichton of Cranstonriddle. In 1567, May
10, there is a charter to Mr Robert Crichton, Queen's
Advocate, whom failing to James Crichton of Cranston-
riddle of the lands of Drumally, in the lordship of Dun>
keld. An upholder of the cause of the unfortunate
Queen Mary, Robert Crichton was in June, 1568,
escheated for rebellion, having appeared in arms in
Her Majesty's defence against the Regent Murray at
t^e battle of Langside. In 1571 he had a charter
of the half of the forty shilling lands of Cranston-
riddle and lands of Gatslack. On February 2, 1571,
we find a confirmation of a charter made by Mr Robert

199

Oichton of Eliock to his son James of half the lands
of Rossyochill. On June 30, 1575, Mr Robert
Crichton of Eliock and Agnes Mowbray, his spouse
(he married three times), are named in a deed. On
January 6, 1579, Mr Robert Crichton of Eliock was,
appointed to the office of His Majesty's Advocate in
place of David Borthwick of Lochill. On December
5, 1579, there is the appointment of Mr Robert Crichton
of Eliock, the King's Advocate, as administrator of
the possessions of Thomas Fraser of Lovat, and Prior
of Bewlie Abbey, " as the said Thomas is unable to
govern the same himself, being not yet of perfect age."

On January 1, 1580, there is a gift to Mr Robert
Crichton of Eliock, Advocate to the King, and Robert
Crichton, his son by Elizabeth Stewart, his spouse, now
deceased, of three chalders of oats, furth of the Priory
of St. Andrews. Mr Robert Crichton of Eliock and
Isabel Borthwick, his spouse, have charter of a quarter
of the house and lands of Easter Craigie, Linlithgow,
2nd February, 1580. He is mentioned, February 3,
1581, in a gift under the Privy Seal, as the " King's
Advocate." On June 5, 1581, there is a charter to
Mr Robert Crichton of Eliock and Mr Robert Crichton,
his son, of the lands of Mount Benger in Ettrick
Forest. He died 20th June, 1582. His will is dated
two days before his death. It was given up by Isabel
Borthwick, his relict, who is named as his only executrix,
and, failing her, his sons, James and Robert Crichton,
are to act. To his spouse, in justice of an ante-nuptial
contract, are left in life-rent the lands of Eliock. A
sum of 1600 merks was to be lent on heritable security,
the life-rent to be enjoyed by his widow, whom failing
to revert to his heirs whomsoever.

To his widow also were left various articles of silver

200

plate, because they had been attained in her time and
with her goods and gear. As to Agnes Crichton, his
daughter by his second wife, Agnes Mowbray, it was
ordained that she be brought up by her guidame the
Lady Barnbougle, and there was assigned to her one
thousand merks in tocher promised to her by her grand-
sire and his cautioners. The Lord of Doune and his
brother, Archibald Stewart, were appointed to have
tutorage of his sons, James and Robert Crichton. His
daughters Marion and Grissel were also named. The
will was confirmed 24th January, 1586. The will and
inventory of Agnes Mowbray, his second wife, who died
in 1575, was confirmed June 20, 1595. It was given
up by her lawful daughter, Agnes, 7th February, 1594.
She had a chain of gold ten ounces in weight.

James Crichton, elder son of the King's Advocate,
succeeded to the estates of Eliock and Cluny. He is
known as ''The Admirable Crichton." He was bom
at Eliock on the 19th August, 1560. Removing to
Cluny when that estate was acquired by the Eliock
family, he received his early education at Perth, and,
later, at the University of St. Andrews. While yet a
lad he was a prodigy of learning. At fourteen he
took his M.A. degree. Before he was twenty he had
acquired twelve languages, and mastered all the sciences
then taught. Going abroad, he challenged all and
sundry to hold disputations with him in any art or
science, to be carried on in any twelve specified tongues.
He gave the learned men of Paris six weeks to prepare
for the contest; meantime, confident of his own powers,
entering freely into all the gaities of the capital.
Crichton vanquished all competitors, and successfully
repeated his challenge at Rome, Venice, Padua, and
Mantua. His beauty of person and eloquence of

201

manner were no less remarkable than his learning.
He was a fearless horseman and accomplished swords-
man, and in a duel killed the first gladiator in Europe.
He was appointed by the Duke of Mantua tutor to
his son, Vincentio de Gonzago, a profligate youth, by
whom he met his death. Returning home one night
in July, 1583, after seeing his mistress, Crichton was
attacked by a band of masked men. With character-
istic facility he disarmed the leader, whom he recognised
as his pupil, and in an excess of loyalty dropped on
his knee and proffered his sword to the Prince, who,
actuated by jealousy, cowardly stabbed his tutor through
the heart.

His mother, and the mother also of his brother
Robert, usually called Sir Robert, was Elizabeth, only
daughter of Sir James Stewart of Beath, a descendant
of Robert, Duke of Albany, son of King JcCobert II.

Sib Robert Crichton inherited the lands which his
elder, illustrious brother did not live to enjoy. A
man of very different stamp from him who had earned
the admiration of Europe, he soon let his possessions
pass from him, and resigned the lands of Cluny to the
Crown in 1591. He attacked, widH a band of marauders,
the Castle of Ardoch, where his half-sister, Marion,
the daughter of his father by his third wife, was living
under the guardianship of Henry Stirling. Sir Robert
carried off the girl, who was never again heard of, and
cruelly assaulted and robbed her protectors. For this
action he was denounced as a traitor by the Privy
Council in 1593, but he was never brought to account.
He took up the cause of his mother's kinsman, the
Earl of Murray — "the bonnie Earl'' — who was
murdered by the Earl of Huntly in 1592; and killed,
in the chapel of Egismalay, the laird of Moncoffer, who

202

waa reputed to sympathise with the assassin. He was
ordered to stand his trial for this crime, but the matter
was hushed up. In 1602 at the King's Court at St.
Andrews he, in the royal presence, murderously assaulted
a courtier named Chalmers, for which crime he was
summoned to appear at Falkland, but, refusing to
comply, the whole of his property was forfeited to the
Crown. Sir Robert was twice married: — First, to
Susanna Qrierson; and second, to Margaret, daughter
of John Stewart, sixth Lord Invermeath. He had two
sons, whose names are not known. His half-sister
Margaret, daughter of his father's second wife, married
Sir Robert Dalziel, first Earl of Camwath, to whom
he sold the estate of Eliock in 1596.

The Arms of the Crichtons of Eliock were as for
Lord Sanquhar, with difference.

DALZIELS OF ELIOCK.

The family of Dalyell, or Dalziel, waa originally from
Clydesdale, and of great antiquity. Nisbet gives the
following story concerning the origin of their surname:
— In the reign of Kenneth II., a near kinsman and
favourite of that King being hung up by the Ficts, it
so exceedingly grieved his Majesty that he offered a
great reward to any of his subjects that would venture
to rescue the corpse; but none would undertake that
dangerous enterprize. At last a certain gentleman
came to the King, and said " Dalziel," which in the old
Scots language is ''I dare;" and he effectually per-
formed it to the Eling's satisfaction; his posterity took
for their surname the word Dalziel; and for their
armorial ensign the remarkable bearing, a naked man

203

with his arms extended. Thomas de Dalyell was one
of the great barons who swore fealty to Edward I. in
1296. In 1365, Sir Robert Dalziel, who faithfully
adhered to King David Bruce during his captivity in
England, obtained a grant of the barony of Selkirk;
and Sir John, his successor, had a gift from King
Robert III. of the revenue belonging to St. Leonard's
Hospital, Lanark. On November 5, .1466, there is a
sasine of Bellibocht in favour of Robert Dalyell of that
ilk, witnesses Sir Robert Crichton, Sheriff of Dumfries,
Edward Crichton, L.C. From Sir John Dalziel, after
several generations, descended Robert Dalziel, who
bought Eliock from Sir Robert Crichton in 1596. He
married, as already stated, Margaret, daughter of Mr
Robert Crichton, the King's Advocate. He was
knighted by King James VI., and elevated to the
peerage of Scotland by King Charles I., being created
Lord Dalziel, 18th September, 1628, and Earl of Carn-
wath in 1639. He had, 26th July, 1622, charter of the
lands of Moussmylne, in Lanark, the old family pro-
perty. In 1613, 27th May, he was appointed to hold
the office of Sheriff-Principal of Dumfries in the King's
hands by reason of the death of Robert Lord Crichton
of Sanquhar, and by reason of the dispute between
the late Lord Crichton and William Crichton of
Ryehill. There are numerous references to him in the
public records. He was on bad terms with Lord
Crichton, having to be bound over to keep the peace.
He had two sons, Robert, his successor, and John of
Glenae, who was created a baronet of Nova Scotia, 11th
April, 1666, and whose eon, John, had a son, Robert,
who succeeded to the Earldom as 6th Earl.

Robert Dalziel, 2nd Earl of Carnwath, had during
his father's lifetime two charters of the barony of Cam-

204

wath, 14th June, 1634, and 11th July, 1635. He
succeeded to the title of the Earl of Carnwath in 1639.
On the 25th February, 1643, he was accused with five
other earls of having written a letter to the Queen from
Derby informing her of the designs of the Scots to arm
against the King, for which they were summoned before
the Convention of Estates. The whole obeyed the
summons except the Earl of Carnwath; and in June,
1643, he was discerned to have incurred a penalty of
£1000 Scots for his contumacy in not entering his person
in prison. On some words spoken by him to His
Majesty, wherewith the Estates were dissatisfied, decreet
of forfeiture was passed against him, 25th February,
1645. He raised horse and foot during the Civil War
for King Charles, and is said, by his ill-judged action,
to have lost the battle of Naseby, 14th June, 1645. He
married Christian, daughter of Sir William Douglas of
Drumlanrig, Earl of Queensberry, leaving at his^ death
two sons — Gavin, his successor, and William, who died
unmarried in 1647.

Gavin, 3rd Earl of Carnwath, was taken prisoner at
Worcester in 1651, and detained several years in
captivity. He married, first, Margaret, eldest daughter
and co-heir of David, Lord Carnegie, and had two sons
and one daughter — James, 4th Earl, and John, 5th
Earl, and Jane, married to Claud Muirhead of Lachop.
He married, secondly, the Lady Mary Erskine, daughter
of Alexander, the third Earl of Kellie, by whom he had
no issue. He died in June, 1674, and was succeeded
by his elder son.

James, 4th Earl of Carnwath. He married Lady
Mary Seton, daughter of George, second Earl of Winton,
and by her had a daughter, Elizabeth, married to Lord
John Hay, second son of the second Marquis of

205

Tweedale; but having no male issue he was succeeded
by his brother,

John, 5th Earl of Camwath, who died unmarried
in 1703, when the estates and honours descended on

Sir Robert Dalziel, 3rd baronet of Glenae, 6th
Earl of Carnwath. He was the great-grandson of
Bobert the first Earl. He joined in the rebellion
against King George I. in 1715, and was taken prisoner
at Preston. He was tried at London, and sentenced to
be hanged, drawn, and quartered, on the 18th February,
1716, his estates forfeited, and his honours attainted.
The sentence of death was remitted, but part of the
Earl's estates was sold by the Government. He
married — First, Lady Grace Montgomery, third daughter
of Alexander, ninth Earl of Eglinton; secondly, Grizel,
daughter of Alexander XJrquhart of Newhall, by whom
he had a son Alexander; for his third wife he had
Margaret, daughter of John Hamilton of Bangour; and
his fourth and last wife was Margaret, daughter of
Thomas Vincent of Bambrough Grange, Yorkshire, by
whom he had a son Bobert, whose son, Bobert
Alexander, was restored to the Earldom by Act of
Parliament, 26th May, 1826.

The Earls of Carnwath during their retention of the
lands of Eliock had a town residence in Sanquhar.
The house stood in the High Street at the top of the
opening long known as the " Calton Close," but now
named "Baron's Court." It was a strong, substantial
building. It was demolished about sixty years ago.

Arms of the Earls of Carnwath — Sable, a naked man
with his arms extended proper. Crest — On a wreath,
a dagger erect, the pommel and hilt or. Supporters —
Two chevaliers in complete armour, each having a
target on his exterior arm, proper. Motto — "I Dare."

206

VBITCH OF EUOCK.

William VErrcH, Writer to the Signet, a cadet of
the family of Veitch of Dawick, in Peebleshire, pur-
chased the Estate of Eliock in 1723, from the attainted
Earl of Carnwath. In 1728, he further bought from the
Commissioners of Forfeited Estates the following lands
formerly belonging to Lord Carnwath, viz. : — The £10
land of Dalmscan, £10 land of Trailflat, and £5 land
of Amisfield, in the parish of Tinwald. He also
acquired lands in the Barony of Kirkmichael. These
lands were first disponed to Alexander, son of the late
Earl of Carnwath, but there was a contract for re-
purchase, dated 11th September, 1724. In July, 1724,
William Veitch, for £16,000 10s 2d, Scots, the price
put upon them by the Lords Commissioners, bought
the lands of Frenchland; and in 1728 there is a dis-
charge of a bond on the Nithsdale Estate by Hugh
Maxwell of Dalswinton to William Veitch of Eliock,
of the house and lands of Frenchland, which was re-
gistered at Dumfries, November 29, 1739. He had a
daughter Mary, married to Robert Irving, W.S., the
marriage contract being dated June 7, 1764. William
Veitch of Eliock, died 25th October, 1747. At his
death his affairs were in a somewhat embarrassed con-
dition, the primary cause being his advancing a great
deal of money on landed property, Frenchland amongst
others. The Veitches of Frenchland were his near
relatives, and by Lord Eliock, who entailed the Eliock
Estates, were named as next heirs after Henry Veitch's
family. Lord Eliock's father had a sister Marion,
married in 1683 to Patrick Govan, and their daughter
Christian Govan, born 1684, married William Veitch
of Frenchland. John Veitch, merchant in Edinburgh,
was served heir to his father, William Veitch of French-

207

land, Writer in Edinburgh, 5th December, 1758.
William Veitch of Eliock was succeeded by his son,

The Hon. James Veitch, Lord Eliock, one of the
senators of the College of Justice. He was admitted
Advocate, 15th February, 1738; constituted Sheriff-
Depute of the County of Peebles, 13th July, 1747;
elected M.P. for the County of Dumfries in 1755, con-
tinuing member till 1760, when he was raised to the
Bench in place of Andrew M'Dowall of Bankton, taking
his seat on the 6th March, 1761, by the title of Lord
Eliock. His lordship was an accomplished scholar,
singtdarly handsome, and a man of such striking per-
sonality that, when travelling in Germany, he succeeded
in interesting and making a friend of Frederick the
Great, King of Prussia. He, as already stated, entailed
the Estate of Eliock, restricting the succession to the
heirs male. On 26th July, 1751, there is a charter of
resignation of Mr James Veitch of the house and lands
of Frenchland; and on June 20, 1783, there is a trust
disposition by G. Muir in favour of the Honourable
James Veitch of Eliock, Senator of the College of
Justice, of the £5 lands of Windimills and those parts
of the 20 merk lands of Middlebie belonging to him.
In 1787, December 27, there is a disposition by
James Veitch, Lord Eliock, as trustee for Sir
Robert Laurie of Maxwelltown, Bart., in favour of
Robert Anderson, of the lands of Gordonstone. Lord
Eliock died, unmarried, 1st July, 1793. He was a great
stickler for the rights of primogeniture, and, although
Colonel Veitch was almost like a son to him, he put
first in the entail a certain James Veitch, because he
was a degree nearer to him in kinship, this James
Veitch being a first cousin's son, while Colonel Henry
Veitch was a second cousin's son.

208

James Veitch was a lieutenant in the army, and was
with his regiment in India when Lord Eliock died. He
came to England as soon afterwards as possible to take
possession, but never got further than London, where
he died of fever in 1796.

Henby Veitch, who now succeeded, was the son of
John Veitch, the son of the Rev. Henry Veitch,
minister of the parish of Swinton, in Berwickshire, Lord
Eliock's first cousin. He entered the service of the
Marines in 1780, whence he exchanged into the line,
and became in 1796, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 98th
Regiment of Foot. He married, in 1796, Zepherina,
daughter of Thomas Loughnan, Esq., of Lower Sey-
mour Street, London, and formerly of Madeira, and
great grand-daughter of Alexander Fergusson of Craig-
darroch and Annie Laurie of Maxweltown — the famous
beauty, whose charms have been immortalized in the
well-known lyric of "Maxweltown Braes are Bonnie."*
Colonel Veitch was one of the Commissioners of Customs
for Scotland. He died Ist May, 1838, leaving issue: —
James, his heir; William Douglas, who also succeeded

* The old song of Maxweltown Braes " was written by a Mr
Donbass of Fingland, upon Annie, one of the four daughters of
Sir Kobert Laurie, first baronet of Maxweltown (created 27th
March, 1685), bv his second wife, a daughter of Riddell of Minto,
by whom also he had three sons. Annie Laurie, however, was
not sufficiently charmed by the chivalrous affection displayed by
Mr Douglass m his poem, for she gave her heart and hand to Au*
Alexander Ferguson of Crai^darroch, The line connecting the
celebrated beauty with the Eliock family is as follows : — Alexander
Ferguson married Annie Laurie, ana Robert Ferguson, their
second son, married Clementine Douglas of Domock ; and their
daughter, Philadelphia Ferguson, married Thomas Loughnan, and
had four daughters. Of these sisters — ^great-grand-daughters of
Annie Laurie — the eldest married Sir Charles Stuart Menteith of
Closebum ; the second married Colonel Henry Veitch of Eliock ;
the third was the wife of the well-known Sir Sydney Beckwith ;
and the fourth married Major John Jamieson.

209

to the estate; John, bom 12th September, 1802, died
unmarried March 12, 1830; Thomas Loughnaii, bom
29th July, 1804, died uunarried 6th February, 1841;
Zepheriua, married July, 1819, Robert Macqueen, Esq.
of Braxfield, 25th Light Dragoons, grandson of the Bt.
Hob. Robert Macqueen of Braxfield, Lord Justice Clerk
of Scotland ; Philadelphia, died unmarried in 1835 ; and
Elizabeth, who married in 1826 William Hugh Hunter,
Esq., son of Captain Hunter, East Lidia Company's
Service, and of the Hon. Jane Bollo, daughter of Lord
BoUo. She died in 1832.

James VEircH, the Coloners eldest son, was bom
21st November, 1799, and succeeded to Eliock on the
death of his father in 1838. He married, 28th Septem-
ber, 1831, Hannah-Charlotte, daughter of James Hay,
Esq. (son of John Hay, Esq. of Hopes), and Matilda
Clarke, his wife. He was a magistrate and deputy-
lieutenant for the County of Dumfries. He was
Deputy-Sheriff of Lanark, and represented Sanquhar
for 21 years as Commissioner to the General Assembly
of the Kirk of Scotland. Sheriff Veitch had three
daughters: — Hannah Charlotte, Zepherina Loughnan,
and Matilda Clarke, but no male issue. On his death
in 1873 he was succeeded by his brother.

The Bev. William Douglas Veitch, born 5th
August, 1801, godson to and named after the last Duke
of Queensberry. He was educated at the Edinburgh
High School and Glasgow University, from whence he
went to Baliol College, Oxford. He took holy orders
in the Church of England, and became rector of St.
Thomas's, Winchester. He was chaplain to the Bishop
of Jerusalem, and for five years was master of the
college there. He married in 1828 Eleanor Julia Anne,
daughter of Lieut. -Colonel Bait, and had issue: — Henry,

14

210

his heir; Douglas D'Arcy Wilberforce, who died un-
married at Eliock in 1883 ; Zepherina Philadelphia ; and
Sophia Frances Fane. Douglas D'Arcy Wilberforce
Veitch was fond of athletics, and did much to create
an interest in healthful sports among the youth of
Upper Nithfldale. He was an accomplished classical
scholar, and in conjunction with his sister, Miss S. F. F.
Veitch, edited "When and Where, a Book of Family
Events," which shows much research and a knowledge
of the best English, German, and ancient literature.
Sophia Frances Fane married Mr James Brown, Barn-
kin of Craigs. She is a talented authoress, among
whose works may be mentioned " A Lonely Life,"
"Wife or Slave," "Monksford," "Angus Graeme,"
" The Dean's Daughters," &c. She takes a keen and
active interest in politics, being a zealous supporter of
the Unionist cause, and has contributed many able
articles on social and political subjects to the leading
reviews.

Zepherina Philadelphia, the elder Miss Veitch, though
less known in Scotland than the other members of her
family, can claim a high place among those who have
been useful in their day and generation. She was one
of the most distinguished hospital nurses of her time,
served in the Franco-German War, and was superin-
tendent of more than one London hospital. Her
greatest achievement, however, was the impetus given
by her untiring energy, and thorough mastery of her
subject, to the movement for improving the status of
midwives. She was admittedly the Miss Nightingale of
the movement, and her evidence before a Select Com-
mittee of the House of Commons was acknowledged to
have had great weight in bringing about the legislation
on the subject so urgently needed. Miss Zepherina P.

211

Veitch married, in 1876, Professor Henry Smith, of
King's College Hospital, London, and died in February,
1894.

The Rev. William Douglas Veitch took up his resi-
dence at Eliock in 1877, where he lived until his death
on 4th September, 1884, when he waa succeeded by his
son.

The Rev. Henbt George John Veitch, bom 26th
September, 1833, at Sopley, in Hampshire, where his
father was then curate-in-charge. He went to Baliol
College, Oxford, in 1852, and, taking holy orders, was
presented in 1865 to the living of Kilmersdon, in Somer-
setshire, of which parish he remained vicar until his
retirement from active work a few years before his
death. He married, first, 12th December, 1865, Sibella
Matilda, daughter of Donald Cameron of Lochiel, by
whom he had issue: — George Douglas, his heir, bom
1874, and two daughters — Vere Matilda Lisette and
Sybil Eleanor. Mrs Veitch died 7th April, 1890.
Secondly, he married on Dece^nber 12, 1891, Georgiana,
daughter of John George Hobson of Curlew Lodge,
Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire. Mr Veitch died at Eliock
on the 30th May, 1903. Like his younger brother, he
took great delight in all outdoor sports, and few could
handle rod or gun with him. He was a keen curler,
and a generous patron of the Sanquhar Curling Society.
In his college days he was one of the most accomplished
of gentlemen cricketers, and was, in the earlier fifties,
among the best known figures at Lord's Cricket Ground.
Angling, however, was his favourite sport, and he knew
almost every stream and pool in the south of Scotland.
Mr Veitch was a brilliant raconteur and a charming
writer, being equally at home in prose and verse. He

218

was alao an aooompUBhed amateur artiit. He was
•Qoceeded by hie only aon,

Obobgb Dououls Vbitch, the present laird^ who was
bom in 1874. Following a profession in which his
family has been distinguished in the past, Mr Veitch
studied for the bar and is an advocate. He is a fluent
speaker, and has already made himself very popular in
Upper Nithsdale by his genial courtesy and hearty
interest in the welfare of the district.

Abms of the Veitch family: — Argent, three bulk'
heads, erased, sable. Crest: A bull's head, affrontee
sable. Motto: '' Famam eztendimus factis."

MCCRIRICK OF MCCRIRICK'S CAIRN.

The lands in Kirkoonnel, which were the property
of this family, lie on the west side of the Nith, and
included M'Cririck's Caim, Upper Cairn, Nether Cairn,
Over Caim, and Greenside. They were six square
miles in extent. In addition, the ^family possessed
lands in Glenscordale, in the Island of Arran.
A list of five tenants there is given in the Register of
Deeds, 16th April, 1623, when James McCririck of the
Caim is named as proprietor. The name is sometimes
found with prefix " Mc " and "A." and " de," and
sometimes without. The use or omission of the Mc
was a common custom in Galloway, as McDowall, Dowall,
and Dole. Stoddart, in his Scottish Armorial, says the
name was taken from the barony of Rerick in Kirk-
cudbrightshire ; and there is a tradition that the
founder of the family was a de Carrick, that the barony
was forfeited for adherence to the cause of Baliol and
the English in the wars of Independence in the time of
Bruce, and that, at this time, all of the kin, except a
widow with an unborn son, took the name of Kennedy.

In 1335 (Bymer's Foedera) Eerieo fil: Reirieei is
named as one of nine knights who found men and
arms to assist Edward III. in his Scottish wars.

The ancestor of this family, as also of the Reriks,
Rediks, and Riddicks, for 200 years barons of Dalbeattie,
and afterwards of Corbieton till 1810, was

John de Rebix. According to Bain's Calendar of
Scottish documents. King Edward III. directed his re-

2U

oeiver at Carlisle to deliver '' 12 qrs. of wheat from his
itoree to his lieges John de Rerick and William Dnrand^
equally by way of gift," on February 2, 1335. And
on June 7, of the same year, there is sent at the King's
command, by the hands of John de Rerik and William
Durand, the sum of £20 to Eustace Maxwell, his fee for
services while with the King during Easter term.

In 1352, November 20, John de Rerik (Reyrik) with
other leading Galloway lairds, witnesses a charter to
Sir William de Aldeburgh of the lands of Kells. This
charter is dated at the Castle of Botel (Buittle). In
1368, Alexander de Rerik, chaplain, had safe conduct
through England to study at Oxford. After the for-
feiture of the Douglasses, Lords of Galloway, their lands
passed to the Scottish King. The Reriks or McReriks
still appearing as connected with the Crown lands.

FiNLAY McRerk is mentioned in that capacity in
1457; and in 1460 (Exchequer Roll) we find that

John de MgRebik received a payment of 13s 4d from
the King's lands of Spottes; and in 1462 there is a
payment to him, in the lands of Rictierne, of 40s for
three terms amount of 2 merks annually due from the
Grange of Spottes. This appears in the accounts of
William, Abbot of Dundrennan. At that time the
barony of Rerik belonged to the Abbey. In 1469 there
is recorded in the Exchequer Rolls a similar payment.
In 1488 John de Rerik possessed the above lands, and
also Dalbeattie, which for a long time afterwards was
the designation of the principal branch of the family.

A brother of John de Rerik was Mr Gilbert de Rerik,
Archdeacon of Glasgow, and from 1467 to 1477 Member
of the Scottish Parliament. He had 14 acres within
the liberties of Dumfries which formerly belonged to S.
Mary's, Castledyke, and is styled in Rymer's Foedera

f

215

(1483), laird of Dumfries. These lands became a cause
of litigation with Kirkpatrick of Closebum, and in 1558
were sold by a John de Rerik of Dalbeattie. The lands
were known as Rerik's Closes. In August of 1473 the
Archdeacon had a safe conduct through England as
Ambassador to Edward IV.

Several other members of this family were amongst
the clergy at this time — Frater Willelmus, Prior of the
Convent of Edinburgh, John Rerik, against whom an
action is brought by John Atkinson, 19th May, 1479,
also George, Rector of Parton.

Another brother of John de Rerik was William
McRerik, of whom more hereafter. John had a son,

Febgus MgRebik, styled of Barharrow. In 1468,
John de Rerik, and Fergus his son have a charter of the
Ryes. According to the Liber Respansionum he was
infeft in Barharrow in 1492. In 1490, March 7, the
Acta, Dom. Con. record an action against him by John
Atkinson in which he is styled Fergus McRerik of Bar-
harrow. His name occurs frequently in the public
records. He died about 1502.

His Uncle William in 1490-1, was a burgess of Edin-
burgh. He married Elizabeth Wood, daughter of
Thomas Wood, burgess of Edinburgh, of the Largo
family. He had a nephew Thomas, ako a burgess of
Edinburgh (1513), and a daughter, Margaret, who
married Stephen de Borthwick, burgess of Edinburgh,
and of Lany, of which lands she and her husband had
a charter, 1st February, 1490. They had also the
superiority of the lands of Langhermiston, in the shire
of Edinburgh (Acta. Dom. Con. 1502, 10th March).
On the 14th February, 1503-4, " Elizabeth Wood, the
spouse of XJmquhile Allan Windeyettes, produdt the
infeftment of the chaplaincy at St. Elois altar " (St.

216

Giles Cathedral, Bdinbnrgh), ''and the soum thereof
anent the Patronage to be tailyand the said donatloiir,
after herself to Margaret McCrerik her dochters airis
of her body, qnhilk failyand to Woods airis, the pre-
sentation to be written XV. days after it vaik, quhilk
gif thai slip, then to pertain to the town, hoc vice, and
gif they fail of aventure, and beis nocht levand, to per-
tain to the town for evermair." Stephen Borthwick is
named as Baillie of Council, Edinburgh, 1492, and again
1513.

Thomas McBesik, burgess of Edinburgh, witnessed
at Edinburgh 27th March, 1523, charter to Archibald
Haitbury in Blackness.

Abthur McCrebik, or McRerik, son of Fergus of Bar-
harrow, on 12th July, 1549, along with others, enact
themselves as cautioners for William, Lord Crichton
to George Maitland in the sum of 25 merks to be paid
yearly to the latter, of the farms of the lands of Fardin
in Kirkconnel, barony of Sanquhar. He married
Elizabeth Crichton. His son,

Patbick MgCbesik, burgess of Wigton and of
Sanquhar, and of the Cairn, is, 22nd March, 1576, wit-
ness of the confirmation to Mr James Crichton, eldest
son of Mr Robert Crichton of Eliock, of the lands of
Cluny, in Perthshire. This James was t^e celebrated
"Admirable Crichton." Patrick entered, October 31st,
1579 (Reg. Deeds) into a contract with John Dougall,
elder, merchant burgess of Edinburgh, in which for
certain sums of money he discharges said John Dougall
of all action and cause of warrandice which he had
against him for failing to infeft him in a portion of the
land called the Guisdubbis lying on the north side of
the Burgh of Sanquhar. In the same year the Privy

217

Coimcil Becords states that Caution was found in £600
by John Creighton of Frendraught, James Creighton of
Carcow, and George Creighton, for William Creichtoun,
Tutor of Sanquhar, that he will not harm Patrick
McCrerik, burgess of Sanquhar; and there is a separate
caution in £100 by the same for said William, in his
capacity as Sheriff of Dumfries, that he will enter
Patrick peaceably into certain specified leggis of lands
with houses lying near the burgh of Sanquhar, and will
not molest him in his possession of the same afterwards.
Resumed action at the instance of Patrick McBerik
against said William Creichtoun and James Creighton,
one of his cautioners, touching "the contravention of
one act made anent possessing the said Patrick of certain
lands Hand on the north and south of the burgh of
Sanquhar;" both parties appearing, defendant was Mr
P. Edmund Hay, the prolocutor, the Lords admit the
matter to McCrerik's probation, assigning to him for
that purpose the 12th of July next, 1579. In 1583
(Privy Council Bee.) there is a complaint by James
Carmichael of Meadowflat, Captain of Crawford as
follows : —

"In September, 1580, Patrick McCrerik, with five
accomplices, bodin in arms and warlike manner, came
under silence of night, to the said complainer's sister's
lands of Dovane, within the barony of Crawfordtoun,
and demolished to the ground her haill houses and
biggins being thairupon, quhairin John Elliott, her
servand, was dwelland for the time, and not content
with this they returned within three days and maist
treasonablie rasit fyre and burnt and destroyed the rest
of the said houses quhilk were uncasindoun." In
January, 1583, Patrick was dilaitit of the treasonabill
burning of certain houses pertaining to the Tutor of

218

Sanqnliar (Jiuticiary Records) — ^the same day Sir John
Gordon of Lochinvar is "pledge and anretie for the
entrie of Patrick Macrerik before our aoverane lord's
justice or his deputy in the tolbooth of Edinburgh, the
last day of February, to underly the law for airt and
pairt of the alleged burning of ane house belonging to
William Creichtoun, tutor of Sanquhar, and his spouse,
oonforme to ane act of secret council^ made thairanent
and sidyk that the said Patrick shall remain in ward
within the burgh of Edinburgh, under the pain of four-
score pounds." The same day William Creichtoun of
Liberie, " obleist him to relieve the said Sir John Gordon
of Lochinvar of his caution." On the day appointed
— the last of February, 1584 — the assize failed to obey
summons, and were each fined £40.

Patrick married Susannah, a daughter of William
Crichton of Liberie, or Libry.

David McCberik succeeded Patrick. In the lifetime
of the latter he was designated " of the Grenane
Messenger Lands, Penpont " (370 acres). On 20th
January, 1590, he had a charter from John McCall,
son of Gilbert McCall of these lands in the barony of
Tibbers. In 1596 there is a contract between John
McCall and David McCrerik whereby the latter ex-
changes Messenger's lands for the lands of McCall's
Cairn adjoining the other lands of Cairn. David
married Agnes, daughter of Homer Maxwell of Portrack,
grandson of the second Lord Maxwell.

James McCbbbicx, or McRerik of Cairn. In 1597,
25th April, he is designated of McCaulis Cairn, when
he is named as witness to a precept of clare constat by
Robert Crichton, Lord Sanquhar, to Robert Charters as
heir to Robert his father, in the lands of Markloar and
Middle Dibbin. On 20th May, 1606, James McRerik,

219

ntow of Cairn, has a gift under the Privy Seal of the
forfeiture of Robert Crichton of Ryehill (Beg. Privy
Seal). James McRerik of Cairn or Kerne, on June 1,
1608, assigns in favour of Catherine Crawford, relict
of Robert Creichton of Ryehill, the gift of the escheat
of the said Robert which was granted under the Privy
Seal. In 1610 he is on the assize at the trial of William
Douglas of Lyncluden for slaughter. On November
22nd, 1608, he married Marion Crawford, of the
Leifnorris family (Dumfries House now), widow of
James Cunningham of Polquharne, and sister of
Catherine Crawford, widow of Robert Crichton of Rye-
hill, and mother of William, first Earl of Dumfries.
Her brother, George, married a daughter of Sir Robert
Dalziell of Eliock. The contract of marriage is given
in the Register of Deeds, Scots Office, Vol. 152, and is
as follows : — " Contract of marriage betwixt James
McCrerik of Kerne on the one part, and Marion Craw-
ford, relict of James Cunninghame of Polquharne, Marie
Cuninghame her daughter, Harie Cunninghame in
Polquharne, lawful son to the said Marion, and Michael
Cunninghame in Boig, cautioners for the said Marion
Crawford on the other part, in which the said James
McRerik binds himself to marry the said Marion before
the 1st of August, 1607, and to infeft her in her life-
rent in his two merkland of Over Cairn, called McKauli's
Cairn, in the barony of Sanquhar and Sheriffdom of
Dumfries." Contract dated at the Kirk of Cumnok,
15th June, 1607. William Creichtoun of Ryehill, after-
wards Earl of Dumfries, William Creichtoun of Liberie,
John Crichton, notary, and others are witnesses.

December 27th, 1611. Renunciation by James
McCrerik of Cairn, in favour of Robert, Lord Crichton of
Sanquhar, of the two merkland of old extent of the

220

Kerne, called McCall't Kerne, in the barony of
Sanquhar. Dated at Edinburgh 13th May, Andro
Crichton in Cairn is a witness.

In 1612 there is a complaint by James McRerik of
Cairn and John M'Math of Corsebank that they had
been charged under pain of rebellion, together with
Bowie Ballantine in Olenglass, and Edward Baxter in
Todholes, to find caution for the indemnity of James
McMath in Knockenhair, the first two complainants in
JBIOOO Scots, and the last two in JB600 Scots each. The
fines were modified to 1000 marks in the case <^ McBerik
and McMath, and to 300 merks each in the other two
cases. The decreet is dated August, 1610. Suspension
of Letters of Homing, May 1612.

Ballantine in Glenglass was herd in employ of McRerik
of Cairn.

The first husband of Marion Crawford, wife of James
McRerik, viz., James Cunninghame of Polquharne, was
a grandson of Sir William Cunninghame of Craigends,
second son of Alexander, first Earl of Glencairn. The
descendant of this Cunningham was made a baronet in
1702, and the family is now represented by Sir Percy
Francis Thurlow Cunninghame, Bart.

Homer McCrerick, or McRerik of Cairn, is found
22nd August, 1657, as cautioner in respect of a bond
for 200 merks granted by Matthew Crichton in Burn-
foot to John Ferguson of Barbowie. On 3rd December,
1667, there is an assignation of the same bond to John
Crichton, younger, in Hill, and Homer McCrerik of Cairn
(Reg. Deeds)— 11th October, 1664, Obligation by Homer
McRerik of Cairn to Patrick Kello, baillie of Biggar,
for £100, at Biggar, 23rd June, 1663.

Homer McCnrick, owing to his loyalty to the crown,
had his lands forfeited in 1654 by Cromwell. He

281

married a grand-danghter of Hugh Campbell of Gar-
rallan.

James McCbibicx, of McRerik's Cairn, his son, ia
mentioned in a deed dated 11th October, 1664. He
married Miss Cochrane, daughter of John Cochrane of
Waterside, and had a son Alexander, who married
Katherine Baird, and had -issue Hugo, and his heir

John McCsmicK, who married Isabella Logan, grand-
daughter of George Logan of that Ilk. He died
April, 1714, leaving James, who died the same day,
Agnes, married to John Shaw in Corsincon, grandson
of Shaw of Keirs Castle, Ayr, and

John McCnmiCK, who married Agnes Campbell,
daughter of William Campbell of Middle Welwood.
Her brother William is mentioned by Woodrow, and
by Cruikshank in his History of the Church of Scot-
land. He and his brother were strong Covenanters,
and being concerned in the rising of Bothwell Brig were
taken by Claverhouse, and after much harsh treatment
lodged in Duimottar Castle in 1684. Whilst there
their two sisters were taken to the Cairn, and Agnes
eventually became the wife of John McCririck. William
CampbeU, her brother, was heir male of William Camp-
bell of Glaisnock, but being under a cloud, the latter
left the estate to a cousin, Robert Farquhar, of Gil-
milnscroft, charging it with 40,000 merks, its full value,
payable to the Campbells of Middle Welwood. This
led to 33 years' Htigation, 1684 to 1717. The Camp-
bells of Glaisnock were the last in the entail executed
in 1613 by Hugh, first Lord Campbell of Loudoun.

HoMSB McCbirice, son of the above, is mentioned in
Session records as being in Caimhall in 1731. He
married Christian Wyllie, daughter of Wyllie of Sorn,

222

and sister of John Wyllie of Bumhead, who married
Ann, daughter of James Farquhar of Gilmilnscroft. He
died 18th September, 1741, and his wife 4th September,
1716. Both are buried at the east end of Old Kirk-
connel Church, the family burying place. He left issue,
John, Bryoe, and James, and a daughter Nancy, who
married James Wilson, nephew of Andrew Wilson of
Polquhirter, and great aunt of Sir James Jenkins,
K.C.B., of Nivinston, Mannamead, Plymouth.

John McCbibick, bom 13th November, 1715, married
Janet Ranken, eldest daughter of (xeorge Banken of
Ardgrene, by Agnes Farquhar, daughter of William
Farquhar of Lochingerroch, formerly of Castle Cavil,
representative of the ancient family of Banken of Shiel,
Ochiltree. The marriage contract is dated 21st May,
1743. John McCririck is found a creditor on the estate
of the late Abraham Crichton of Carco, 27th November,
1753 (Dumfries Sasines). On May 18th, 1753, there is
an order to pay £76 for value received from John
McBerik of Cairn, directed to John McCron in Carcoside
(Burgh Books, Dumfries). Also 2l8t Nov., 1757, a
decreet — Alexander Milligan in Marr owing John
McCrerik of Cairn, 100 merks. We also find, July,
1758, John McBerik against Alexander Milligan.
Janet Banken, his wife, died 6th February, 1761.
John McCririck left issue : —

Homer McCririck, born 17th April, 1744, died un-
married, 1826.

George McCririck, born 5th November, 1745, was in
the medical service of the African Company. He died,
unmarried, at Cape Coast Castle. The receipt on the
following bond was written by him, so he was alive in
1767. " Agnes Farquhar, relict of George Banken, by
Bond of Promise written by James Orr, Town Clerk of

223

Sanquhar, and signed 5th May, 1750, bequeathed 300
merks to her grandson, George McCririck, and 200
merks to her grand-daughter Agnes." On the back of
the bond is an informal receipt written by the said
George, and signed by him and his father, John
McCririck, as curator for his daughter, then a minor,
both at Garpel, Muirkirk, 27th July, 1767.

Christian McCririck, bom 10th September, 1750,
married William Cringan in Netherton, and died 14th
October, 1822, aged 72 years William Cringan died
March, 1824, aged 75 years. He was brother of
Abraham Cringan of Moss Castle, and uncle of William
Cringan, Surgeon in H.M. Navy, and in the 25th
Regiment of Foot, and of Hugh Cringan, Lieutenant
in the 13th Regiment of Foot, who both distinguished
themselves.

James McCririck bom 12th April, 1752.

Jean McCririck bom 3rd August, 1754, married
Alexander Reid of Bankhead, and died 1814.

Margaret Agnes McCririck, bom 12th February,
1755, married Mr Milligan of Cleuchhead. Died, 1795.

Janet McCririck, born 10th February, 1760, married
James Laidlaw in Corsebank. She died 1800. Her
grandson (the last of his family), Thomas Laidlaw,
M.D., born 12th May, 1790, died 1840, and was buried
at Crawfordjohn.

James, father of Dr Laidlaw, died at Whitehill, Eirk-
connel, 11th April, 1824.

HoMEB McCbibick of Cairn, the last in the direct
issue connected with Kirkconnel (through female lines
from the 12th century), died unmarried, as above stated,
in 1826. At his death the descendants of

Bbyce McCbibice, son of Homer (who died in 1741),
became representatives of the family. Bryce married

224

Agnet Conon of the family of Dftlwhat, cadeta of ibe
knightly hoota of Meiklekiioz. The marriage ceremony
was performed by hii coniin, the Bev. Alexander Millar,
parish minister of Elilmanrs. Bryoe was concerned in
the Rebellion of 1745. He is mentioned in an instru*
ment of cognition and sasine, 3rd February, 1790. He
died in 1793, leaving a son,

William McCbibicx, bom 1764, who married
Margaret McKenrick, daughter of William McKenrick,
heritor and burgess (1773) of Sanquhar, by Margaret
Bower, granddaughter of Douglas of MuirhiU of the
family of Douglas Castle, and cousin to Allan Ramsay
of Kinkell, portrait painter to King Greorge III., who
married Amelia, daughter of Sir David Lindsay of
Evelick Castle, Perthshire, and niece of the Earl of
Mansfield, Lord Chancellor, and had issue — Amelia,
wife of Sir Archibald Campbell of Invemiel, both of
whom are buried in Westminster Abbey, and John,
General in the British Army. William McCririck died
at Sanquhar on 12th April, 1802, leaving a daughter,
Agnes, married to William McQueen, and one son,

William McCbibick, bom 4th September, 1794, who
married Janet, daughter of Thomas Smith, Kirkconnel,
by Elizabeth Nichol, daughter of Alexander Nichol of
Hurlbush, Kirkconnel, by Janet, daughter of John
Howat of the Marchbum, Caii^, Kirkconnel. The
marriage took place 29th July, 1814, the ceremony
being performed by his cousin, the Rev. John Bower,
Parish Minister of Old Monkland. William McCririck
died, January 3, 1859, and Janet, his wife, 29th April,
1880. They had issue— William, Thomas, John, Robert,
Bryce, Elizabeth, Agnes, Margaret, and Jessie.

The Rev. T. W. McCririck, Rector and patron of
Botus-Fleming, ComwaU ;--the Rev. Howard McCririck,

225

Vicar of Wiveliscombe, Somerset, married to Marion
Isabell Hall, daughter of the Rev. George Hall, coufiin
german to Lord Llanover, vicar of Hempnall, Norfolk,
and grand-daughter of Richard Gwyn, J.P., D.L.,
of Stratton Lodge, High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1864,
son of William Gwyn of Barons Hall, Norfolk;
— Henrietta McCririck, married to her cousin the Rev.
Adam Pyle Hamilton Wilson, Vicar of Glossop; and
Caroline Ann McCririck, who died unmarried, 1895, are
the issue of Thomas McCririck (son of the above
William), born 26th July, 1817, and died in 1871, and
of Jane Collier, his wife, who died in 1889. Jane
Collier was the daughter of Joseph, son of Thomas, son
of James Collier, Esquire of Leigh, the son of
Jeremiah, son of Nathaniel Collier, brother of David
Collier, Esq., of Hackford Hall, Norfolk. (Burke.)
Her grand-mother, Ann Ridgeway, was sister to Mr
Ridgeway of Horwich, great-grandfather of Cecily M.
W. Ridgeway, Lady Medway, married to Hon. J.
Stewart Hardy, eldest son of Viscount Cranbrook.

McCBmicK Asms.

The Arms as given by Balfour, and engraved in
Btoddart's Scottish Armorial are: — Argent, a field
charged with three wolves' heads, erased, gules.

Several seals of the 15th Century are still extant in
the Register House, Edinburgh.

One branch of the family, who often spelled the name
McCrerie, used, Per salteir ermine and azure, a crescent
sable, on a chief of the second three mullets argent.

Crest — A beehive, bees volant, proper. Motta^^
" Indufltria."

15

WILLIAMSONS OF CASTLE ROBERT.

The lands of Cattle Robert extended to four merks, old
extent. They are in the parish of Eirkconnel, on the
north bank of Crawick, bordering on the lands of Carco,
and embraced those lands now included in the farm of
Corsebank. The stronghold which gave name to the
estate occupied a splendid site. It stood on the breast
of the hill a little higher up than the farm house of
Corsebank, and was defended at the back by the steep
banks of a mountain stream, and in front by a deep
trench. Tradition states that it was a place of great
strength, and that in olden times it withstood many a
fierce onset. When, many years ago, the last remains
of Castle Robert were carted away for the purpose of
building dykes, a large quantity of melted lead was
found among the debris at its foundations, giving one
the idea that the old f ortalice had been destroyed by
fire.

Robert Lord Crichton of Sanquhar granted to his
brother-in-law, Eirkpatrick of Closebum^ the wardship
of Robert-Muir in 1509.

John Whxiamsoh in Waterhead was the proprietor
of Castle Robert towards the end of the sixteenth
century.

JoHK Williamson, his son, is in November, 1581,
retoured heir in the lands of Castle Robert and Brig-
burcle, in the parish of Glengarnock. In 1597 a com-
plaint is made to the Privy Council by Thomas
Kirkpatrick of Closebum, in which Robert, Lord

228

Creichtoon of Sftnquhar, Sheriff of Dumfries, is charged
with "the schamefoll and cruel wounding of Johnne
Williajnsoun of Castle Robert, the said Thomas's servand
and defendair/' and asking that he have redress, and
be exempted from Lord Crichton's jurisdiction. The
Lords granted the petition.

On 6th November, 1604, Sir Robert Gordon of Glen is
retoured in the 2 merk land of Corsebank in Robert-
Muir and barony of Sanquhar.

James Williamson has a seisin of Castle Robert in
a precept of dare constat of the Superior Kirkpatrick
of Closebum, July 2nd, 1606.

He is witness to an Instrument of Resignation in
favor of Stephen Lawrie, merchant in Dumfries, after-
wards of Maxwelltown, of the teinds of Galligappoch,
28th February, 1616.

Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick was, on the 23rd December,
1616, possessed of the Barony of Robert-Muir, extending
to 28 lbs., which was sold by order of the arbitrators
to Alexander Seaton of Gargunnock.

David de Castle Robebt was served heir to his
father James on December 9th, 1645, and there is a
special service with consequent precept and sasine, dated
January 19th and 22nd, 1649. The Earl of Queens-
berry was then Superior. David Williamson resigned
the lands of Castle Robert April 16th, 1665, in favour
of Robert, eldest son of Mr George Clelland, minister of
Durisdeer. A charter of seisin is granted to Robert
Clelland by the Earl of Queensberry, April 14th, 1669.
He was succeeded in the property by his son, William
Clelland.

Clelland parted with the lands to Andrew McDowall,
merchant, for payment of £3424 Scots, November 17th,
1676. The adjudication obtained by Andrew McDowall

229

is awarded to McDowall of Garthland in satisfaction of
a payment of 2896 merks, July 12th, 1686, and another
payment of £380 Scots, January 30th, 1698.

In May 2nd, 1743, McDowall of Garthland made a
disposition and sasine to Crichton of Gairland.

The following is the will of James Williamson of
Castle Robert: — Testament Testamentatar and In-
ventory of James Williamson of Castle Robert, within
the parish of Kirkconnel, who died in November, or
thereby, 1637. Given up by himself and by Archibald
Johnstone of Clauchrie, tutor to Robert and James, his
sons. (By his latter will he nominated Robert and
James Williamson, two of his sons, his only executors.)
He leaves his effects to Robert, James, John, Adam,
Henry, Elizabeth, and Janet, his children, equally
among them. He nominates Robert Crichton, brother
german to the Earl of Dumfries, Sir William Baillie of
Lamington, John Hamilton of Gilchrystdeugh, Robert
Dalziell in Glenmuckloch, and John Park in Glengaber,
overseers to his said tutor, wife, and children. The will
was confirmed 30th December, 1640, and John Rowane,
merchant, burgess, of Dumfries, is cautioner.

The Williamsons regained for some time as tenants
in Castle Robert, which they had owned. Archibald
Williamson is found in Castle Robert in 1734. Descen-
dants of the family eventually occupied the farms of
Bar, Burnfoot, Glenwhargen, etc. Alexander William-
son, of Cruffel, the famous Covenanter, was of the
same family.

Miss Williamson, of Musselburgh, and Mr David
M'Michael, Sanquhar, are descendants.

Abms. — Argent, a saltier, between a boar's head,
erased, in chief, and three stars in the flanks and base,
sable.

MCMATHS OF DALPEDDAR.

The property of Dalpeddar ("field of the stream of
the oaks ") is in the barony of Drumlanrig, in the
parish of Sanquhar, formerly in that of Kirkbride. It
lies on the east side of the Nith, about two miles from
the town of Sanquhar. It comprised the 5 merkland
of Auchensow, with the com and wauk mills thirled to
the same; the 6 merkland of Castle Gilmour and Muir-
head; and the 4 merkland of Upper and Middle
Dalpeddar, old extent. The residence was a tower to
which, it seems, a chapel was attached.

Though the McMaths never owned the superiority of
these lands, yet their social standing and importance
was considerable, and the proprietor was styled "of
that Ilk.'' Alexander McMath is mentioned in the
Ragman Boll among the barons who submitted to
Edward I. in 1296; and Nesbit in his Heraldry speaks
of McMath of Dalpeddar, his descendant, as of "the
ancient family of McMath."

In 1597, McMath of that Ilk is mentioned in a list
of the gentry of Scotland. Seven generations from
father to son were proprietors of Dalpeddar under the
superiority of the Douglases of Drumlanrig.

Alexandeb McMath held the important office of
Coroner of Nithsdale till 1468, when it was taken from
him and given to Sir Robert Crichton of Sanquhar, in
return for his services to the King.

John McMath, his son, married, about 1540, a
daughter of Tweedie of Drummelizier.

232

Jaub MoMath ov Dalpxddab snooeeded. His will,
given ap by himself, is witnessed by James Cricbton of
Carcow, John, second son of the deceased, Roger
McMath, his son, Sir John Taylor, notary public, with
others. By his latter will, dated in 1568, his widow
and son Hector are named executors with power to
dispose his goods or gear by advice of David Douglas
of Batford, and James Crichton of Carcow, and a
brother of the deceased. Confirmed 5th November,
1677. He died 1568.

John MoMath, his second son, has on 15th December,
1586, a charter from the King of lands bought by him,
viz.: — the 3 merkland of Holmarke, Brigmarke, and
Nether Penstay, old extent. John Crichton of Carco
ii a witness.

John McMath. — BLis son John was legitimatised
26th May, 1595. On 27th April, 1610, there is regis-
tered in Edinburgh an obligation by John McMath,
son natural to the late John McMath of Dalpeddar, to
John McCall in Spank, his father-in-law, for JB20,
dated at Sanquhar, 9th June, 1594. Patrick McCall,
son of John, is witness.

Mb James McMath of Dalpeddar is witness to a deed
concerning Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, 17th June, 1608,
and the same year is on an assize with James McMath
of Elnockenhair. He is also named in a bond, 3rd
September, 1610, and on 8th June, 1613, is appointed
Justice of the Peace for Dumfriesshire. He appears to
have been an advocate by profession.

Alezandeb McMath of Dalpeddar, succeeded 1624.
He disposed of the property to the Earl of Queensberry,
November 28th, 1636.

There appears to have been several minor proprietors
of portions of the estate, no doubt near relations of

233

McMath of that Ilk. Among the witnesses to the
charter to Mr Robert Crichton, Rector of Sanquhar,
and Chaplain of S. Nicholas, Newark, 22nd June, 1564,
ifi James McMath, son and heir of John McMath of
Castle Gilmour. The will of this James McMath, who
died in December, 1688, is dated 29th November, 1688.
He appoints his executors to act under the guidance of
James Crichton of Carcow, James Hunter of Balagan,
John Milligan of Blackmyre, James Hunter in Drum-
fihinie, and John McMath, burgess of Edinburgh, his
brother. James McMath, son of John of Castle
Gilmour, is named as creditor of the last Robert
Crichton of Ryehill in the gift of escheat of the latter
to James McCririck of Cairn.

John McMath, heir of Roger McMath of Clenrie, in
the barony of Sanquhar, retoured 1601.

James McMath of Auchensow is commanded to
apprehend John Weir for murder, 1616. Members of
the family for several generations were eminent mer-
chant burgesses of Edinburgh.

Representatives of the family remained at Dalpeddar
as farmers. One went to Ireland and prospered; his
descendants are now in Ulster. A scion of the family
was the late Bailie McMath of Sanquhar, whose father
was farmer of Auchentaggart, adjoining Dalpeddar

The connection of the McMaths with Dalpeddar is
said to have been owing to the marriage of the first of
the name owning the land with an heiress of the
Lindsay family, who at one time owned Crairie Park
and other lands extending to Crawford.

Arms. — Sable, an inescutcheon chequy, argent and
azure, between three lions' heads, erased, of the second ;
in chief a mullet of the same.

HAIRS OF GLENWHARRY AND

SANQUHAR.

The name of Hair seems to have been indigenouSy
and originally limited to one locality in the West Low-
lands of Scotland. The region of Upper Nithsdale
with the adjoining district of Ayrshire was in times
past especially its haunt and home. It may therefore
be inferred that the families who bore it sprang from a
common ancestor.

The lands of Olenwharry, otherwise Glenwharrie or
Olenquharry (the Sheep glen) were in the sixteenth
century acquired, and for a considerable period there-
after possessed, by a family of the name of Hair.

These lands, now swallowed up by the all-devouring
Dukedom of Buccleuch, were at one time owned as a
separate property. They abut on the Ayrshire border,
are traversed by the Glenwharry Bum, which for about
five miles runs its course to the Nith, and they skirt or
encircle the old village and kirkyard of Kirkconnel.

William Crichton, third Lord Sanquhar, and his wife,
Elisabeth Fleming (a daughter of Lord Fleming), held
by charter, dated 24th March, 1546, Glenwharry with
other lands in the barony of Sanquhar. This third Lord
Sanquhar was killed at Edinburgh in 1660. This
event may have led to some disposal or re-arrangement
of property, and to the Hair family coming into posses-
sion of Glenwharry. The exact date of the Hair owner-
ship we do not know, but from a curious record we find

236

it was prior to 1668. This record eets out that in that
year Thomas Elirkpatrick of Closebum found caution
for Andro Wilson in Gairland that he would answer
before the justices upon fifteen days warning for alleged
bodily injury done to John Hair of Glenwharry.

This John Hatk, probably the first owner of the name,
seems from the Commissary records to have married a
Crichton. He died in May, 1693, and by his will dated
the 6th day of that month, and given up by him before
James Crichton of Carco and John Hair in Guffockland,
he appointed his son John Hair and Geilles Waterston
his executors. His will was confirmed 11th July, 1593,
and he was succeeded in the Glenwharry property by
his said son.

There exists another curious record referring to this
second John Haib. It is to the effect that William
Crichton of Dernhunch, Sheriff, gives caution for
William Crichton of Hill not to reset or intercommune
with John Hair of Glenwharry or Agnes Charters, relict
of Robert Crichton of Carco. The bond was subscribed
by John Carmichael, younger, in Spoth, and dated 2nd
February, 1605.

Patbick Haib was of Glenwharry in 1605 as his name,
so described, appears in a deed of 28th July of that
year.

John Haib, his grandson, the third of the name,
was a strong Covenanter. He was shot by the dragoons
in 1688, during the time of the Persecution, and was
buried on a hillside overlooking the Nith. An obelisk
recording the tragic occurrence was erected on the spot
where he fell.

Geobge Haib was of Glenwharry before 1734. This
appears from the fact that his will was proved in that

237

year. He seems to have been the last of the Olenwharry
Hairs.

NiNiAN Haib, however, a descendant of the family,
was in 1748 in possession of the lands of Carcoside,
Knockenstob, and Tongueland, valued at that time at
300 merks.

David Hath, his son, became proprietor of Orchard,
a small property picturesquely situated on the banks of
the Crawick where the Orchard bum joins that stream.
His successors were David and Alezandeb Haib, who
appear to have been joint owners of Orchard in 1773.
From them the inheritance descended to David Haib,
the third of the name, who seems to have come into
possession in 1808. David Hair, the last of the race
in Orchard, and indeed the last of the Hairs who had
so long figured as small landed proprietors in the parish
of Kirkconnel, may perhaps be remembered by persons
still living. Orchard with all the other detached pro-
perties owned by the Hair family have now passed into
the possession of the Duke of Buccleuch.

We may in passing mention that several families
of the Glenwharry stock were at an earlier period
occupiers of land in the parishes both of Kirkconnel
and Sanquhar. Among these was John Hair, son to
Robert Hair of Lessmalowane, who died 30th April,
1585. Janet Hair, wife of John Davidson in Elirk-
connel, who died 28th April, 1593, appears to have been
a sister of Ivie Hair of Glenwharry. Davidson or his
wife either rented or owned part of Glenwharry.

In the will of John Fullerton, who died at Kirk-
connel, 28th April, 1595, there is mention of John Hair
of Glenwharry and Patrick, his brother. Fullerton
married Marion Hair, a daughter of Glenwharry, and

238

WM a oonneetioii of the Fullertoiui of Dreghom, an old
Aynnire family.

The Hairs of Orchard were as we have seen descended
from the Hairs of Glenwharry. The branch of the
Hair family long settled in Sanquhar, if not so directly
descended was no doubt related. Offshoots all, we may
suppose, of one original stem. This supposition of
mutual relationship receives support from the circum-
stance that David Hair, the last of the name in Orchard,
was interred in the burial ground of the Sanquhar Hairs.
In the old kirkyard of Kirkconnel are six through-
stones of substantial construction belonging to the Hair
family giving the names of the successive generations
that had one after another been gathered to their
fathers.

The family burying-place of the Hairs of Sanquhar in
Sanquhar kirkyard lies east of the church, and contains
the oldest dated stone in this ancient burial ground. It
bears the initials A. H., and the date 1660. There are
also other old stones bearing the name of Hair.

A curious tombstone belonging to the Hairs is to
be seen lying on the brae face to the south-west of
Sanquhar Kirk. It is in the form of an old-fashioned
coffin, with a smaller-sized coffin — that of a child —
attached to it on the right side, both being hewn out of
the same block of freestone and in one entire piece.
The length of the larger coffin is 5 feet 3 inches, and of
the smaller one 26 inches. Upon thj larger is carved
a cross, but no inscription or mark of any kind beyond
the initials B. H., which are chiselled, the B. on the
small, and the H. on the larger coffin. These initials
stand for the name of Rachel Haib; and tradition states
that the tombstone marks the resting place of a mother
and her child, who during the troublous days of the

239

Penecutioii, when military were quartered in Sanquhar,
were killed by the blow of a sword in the High Street,
in a diflturbance that had arisen among the soldiers.

Generations of Sanquhar Hairs have passed away
without special record, save the stray memorials in their
burying-ground. We have, however, certain knowledge
of the family in the 18th century. We find that
Abchibald Haib, who possessed property in the town,
married Dorothea Bramwell, and died in 1789. His
eldest son was John Haib, better known as Laird Hair,
who married Isabella Ferguson, and died in 1830 at
the age of seventy.

Laird Hair had in his day a high reputation as a
curler, and some of his sons were also experts in that
winter pastime. He was well known in Sanquhar as a
kindly, genial, good-natured man, much liked by old
and young. David Hair, the last of Orchard, and Laird
Hair were contemporaries, and fast friends. Attached
to each other in life they now rest together in the same
burying-ground. The eldest son and heir of Laird Hair
was Archibald Haib, M.D., who, in 1812, entered the
service of the Army as Assistant Surgeon to the 43rd
Regiment of Light Infantry. That renowned regiment
was then serving in the Peninsula as part of the opera-
ting British force under the command of the Duke of
Wellington, then Lord Wellington. We may give some
account of interesting incidents in Dr Hair's career.

On the 27th February, 1814, the battle of Orthes was
fought, which resulted in a decisive victory over the
French, commanded by Soult. At this battle the fifth
Duke of Richmond, then Lord March, in leading a charge,
was dangerously wounded, having been struck on the
chest by a musket ball. Surgeon Hair, who happened to
be near assisting with the wounded on the field — hisregi-

240

ment not being actively engaged — was suddenly sum-
moned to render medical help to his lordship. It is
stated in Kent's "Reminiscences of the Dukes of
Richmond" that it was by the prompt action of
Surgeon Hair in opening a vein to relieve the internal
hemorrhage that the young nobleman's life was saved.
Burgeon Hair superintended the removal of his lordship
to the town of Orthes and attended him through a time
of great anxiety and until he was out of danger.

Another of Dr Hair's experiences at Orthes may be
noticed. It is drawn from the same authority. In
the course of the battle the Commander-in-Chief,
Lord Wellington, was himself woimded, having been
struck on the thigh bone by a spent ball. He
reached the town disabled, and suffering severe pain.
As it happened that his quarters were on the opposite
side of the street from where Lord March was lying.
Surgeon Hair, being at hand, was called on to attend
to the wounded chief. He at once had prepared, and
applied with his own hands, a poultice to the bruised
limb^ which gave relief. Next day Lord Wellington
was to be seen on crutches crossing the street to visit
Lord March, then lying in a most critical condition,
and Dr Hair observed that the great captain gave way
to an outburst of tears, for he did not expect to see

the son of one of his dearest friends again alive.
Happily Lord Wellington was able on the same day to

follow the army, as he was most anxious to do, which
was pressing hard upon the retreating French. In his
many battles Wellington was never wounded except at
Orthes, and it is an interesting circumstance that on
that occasion he was medically attended to bjf a
Sanquhar man. Lord March ultimately recovered, but
carried the French bullet in his person till the day of
his death.

241

Dr Hair's time of active tenrice in the Peninsula
was from 1812 till the end of the war. He received
the war medal with four clasps for the battles of
Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, and Orthes. He served
with his regiment also in America, and took part in
the action before New Orleans. Just before the return
of the 43rd from America the battle of Waterloo was
fought, but the regiment, although too late for the
fight, was able to join the victorious forces and take
part in the capture of Paris.

Dr Hair was appointed Head Surgeon to the Boyal
Horse Guards (Blue) in 1826, and this appointment he
held until his retirement from the Army in 1843. His
services to the fifth Duke of Richmond on the battle-
field of Orthes led to a very cordial friendship with
the Duke and his Duchess.

When Dr Hair retired from the Army he was induced
to become a member of the Richmond family. For
many years he acted as medical attendant and confi-
dential adviser, giving his services solely as a friend,
and without receiving fee or pecuniary reward of any
kind. Feeling the growing infirmities of age, he at
length retired to his own residence in Sanquhar, where
he quietly spent the few remaining years of his life.
He died unmarried on the 14th December, 1869, in his
85th year, and was laid in the family burying ground.

Dr Hair was skilled in his profession; he had seen
much of the world and society, yet he remained a
modest and genial man, ever ready to oblige whenever
he could do so. The main features of his character
were a high feeling of honour, a sound judgment, and
rare common-sense.

The oldest representative of the Sanquhar Hairs now
living in this country, and the owner of the family pro-

16

242

perty in the burgh, bequeathed to him by his uncle, Dr
Hair, is John Hair, a grandson of Laird Hair and a
retired official of the Pay Office of the Court of
Chancery. He resides in London.

We may also mention that Mr Robert Nivison, the
founder of the Nivison Trust for the benefit of the
poor of Sanquhar, is a great-grandson of Laird Hair.

There is now no male member of the family resident
in Sanquhar.

Abms: — Azure, two bars, or, a chief indented of the
last.

Cbest: — Two daggers in saltier, proper.

• !

MCCALLS OF GUFFOCKLiND.

The property of Guffockland lies on the east side of the
Nith, in the old barony of Sanquhar, and parish of Kirk-
connel. Tlie lands, although in the barony of Sanquhar,
were held from the Crown. The residence of the lairds
was a tower or small fortalice, on the site of which the
present farmhouse of Tower stands.

The chief of the McCalls was styled of that Ilk. He
was of Cauliston, in the barony of Tibbers. The
McCalls were probably of the stock of the Highland
clan MacAulay, and held a good social position in Dum-
friesshire.

IviE McCall of GufiFockland married Janet Car-
michael, of Spoth. He died in August, 1585, leaving a
daughter Janet. His will was given up by himself,
11th August, 1685. He had two brothers, Edward and
William, and a sister Margaret.

John succeeded. He is mentioned in deed of 1688
as of Guffockland. He was sometime of Spango or
Spank, and also of Corsebank. His daughter married
John McMath, son natuial to John McMath of Dal-
peddar. There is an obligation by John McMath in
Auchensow to John McCall for 600 merks, 24th
October, 1596. His eldest son was named William, to
whom he gave a discharge for certain large sums of
money, 7th May, 1610. William was in Boghouse. He
must have died before his father, for

Patbice McCall on 7th May got from his father a
discharge for " all ye gone debts.''

244

John MoCall was served heir of Patrick McCall of
Guliockland, October 3, 1629, in the Crown lands of
Guffockland in 20 solid€tU$, 2 denariatU terrarum.

When the property no longer belonged to the family,
they still remained at Guffockland as tenants, and
George McCall was at Guffockland in 1734.

One of the family, James McCall in Glenyne, had
saaine of the lands of Harlbog, in the barony of
Sanquhar and shire of Dumfries, on charter by James
Crichton of Carcow, with consent of Florence Maxwell,
his wife, and Agnes Charters, his mother.

Andrew McCall, in Castle of Sanquhar, is witness.
20th July, 1624.

In 1630, July 5th, there is recorded in the Register
of Deeds a renunciation by James McCall in Glenyne
to William Viscount Ayr of said lands redeemed for
1100 merks.

William McCall in Kelloside, Kirkconnel, 1707, was
no doubt of the family of Guffockland.

Among his descendants are Mr McCall of Caitloch;
the Misses Barker, High Street, Sanquhar; Mr McCall
of Mid Calder, late of Edgbaston, &c.

WILSONS OF SPANGO.

Tab lands of Spango, Spannok, or Spank, are on the
north bank of Crawick Water, in the parish of Kirk-
connel, and take their name from the water of Spango,
meaning "sparkling stream."

The McCallfl seem for a time to have had an interest
in them.

William Wilson of Spango. There is, September
10, 1663, a decree of apprizing by Douglas of Panzerie
from this William of the 5 lb. land of Spango, in the
parish of Elirkconnel, for payment of £4,123 Scots, and
a consequent charter and seisin granted by Lord
Queensberry, January 8th and December 8th, 1664.

James Wilson granted the 3^ merk lands of Spango,
old extent, with a heritable bond and infeftment to
the Duke of Queensberry's secretary, William Stewart,
for security for the loan of 8000 Merks, on 26th March,
1702. There are two grants of the Duke of Queens-
berry to James Wilson and his predecessor of the lands
of Spango, with seisin in each case, registered at Edin-
burgh and Dumfries respectively, May 26, 1694, and
December 1, 1702.

William Wilson of Spango resigned the lands to the
Duke of Queensberry, March 31, 1707.

Arms: — Argent, a chevron between three mullets,
gules.

BANNATYNES OF GLENMADDY.

The lands of Glenmaddy (i.e., "Wolf Glen") or Glen-
heidy lie on the south banks of Enchan Water, opposite
the Barr Moor. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century
they formed a separate proprietorship possessed by a
family named Bannatyne. About 1460 there was a
BoULND Bannattne of Glenmaddy or Glenheid.

BoLAND, his son, was of Glenmaddy, about 1500, and

BoLAND Bannattne, his son, has sasine by William,
Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, of Glenmaddy, in the barony
of Sanquhar, July 26th, 1548. John Bannatyne, of
Cog, another small proprietor, witnesses the sasine. In
1557, May 2nd, there is gift under the Privy Seal to
John Crichton, Tutor of Sanquhar, of the escheat of this
John Bannatyne, of Cog, being fugitive from the law.

Boland Bannatyne, perhaps a descendant, ia found
in Glenglass, further up Euchan water, and near Glen-
maddy, as a shepherd to James McBerik of Cairn, in
1610.

Arms:— Gules, a chevron, argent, between three
mullets, or.

KYLES OF CORSENEUK.

The Kyles, an old Sanquhar family, apparently held
the lands of Corseneuk at one time, as Robert Kyle is
retoured heir to Robert Kyle in those lands in 1590.
The lands had passed from them before 1619.

APPENDICES.

ARMS OF THE ROYAL BURGH OF SANQUHAR.

Azure, a double-leaved gate, triple-towered, on an
ascent of five steps or degrees, flanked by two towers,
all argent; the towers arch-roofed and masoned sable.

The crest is a thistle proper.

No motto appears upon the seal of the burgh, but
upon the flag of the Five Incorporated Trades of
Sanquhar, in the possession of the writer, and upon
which are emblazoned the burgh arms surrounded by a
wreath of thistles, there is given the proud legend —
Scotland's national motto — " Nemo me impune lacessit."

RIDING THE SANQUHAR MARCHES.

The following description of the rejoicings at Sanquhar
on the occasion of the King's Birthday, 23rd April,
1825, is taken from the columns of the Dumfries Courier

*

of that time : — " On Saturday the magistrates of
Sanquhar, accompanied by a large body of respectable
inhabitants and a number of young men who have lately
formed themselves into a band of instrumental music
under the patronage of Provost Crichton, rode the
marches of the extensive common attached to the
burgh — the magniflcent gift of James VI. — the band
all the while playing a number of favourite airs. At
the head of the procession marched that hardy veteran
Captain Scott, whose soldier-like appearance inspired
with something like a military ardour every person pre-
sent. He was dressed in the uniform worn by his

248

regiment in 1776, and he carried the sword and spon-
toon which he wielded on the heights of Bunker's Hill,
and in most of the engagements daring the American
Revolutionary War. After the conclusion of the cere-
mony the party adjourned to the Town House, where
they regaled themselves liberally with whisky toddy,
and drank the usual loyal toasts with great enthusiasm.
The meeting was also enlivened by the songs of several
well-known vocalists, including ' Auld Robin Gray,'
chanted in a clear and melodious voice by an individual
89 years of age."

CHOOSING SITE FOR KIRKCONNEL CHURCH.

On the 1st November, 1727, there was a perambula-
tion of the parish of Eirkconnel. Mr John Crichton
of Carcow, one of the Duke of Queensberry's chamber-
lains, and a considerable number of families, went round
near the houses, and came to the conclusion that the
best part for the church was the pathhead upon the
west side of Guffockland burn within the lands of Nether
Farding, being the most central part for the inhabitants.
The Presbytery having read and considered the report,
approved and ordered it to be inserted in their registers.
(Penpont Presbytery Books.)

The Parish Church of Kirkconnel was built in 1729, and
enlarged about 1806.

WELCOME TO LORD SANQUHAR.

Crichton Peel, the ancient home of the Lords of
Sanquhar, passed from the Crichtons in 1639, when,

249

with the Sanquhar estates, it was sold to the Duke of
Queensberry. It was attached to the Queensberry
estates up till 1894, in which year the remains of the
ancient pile, along with the fields forming the farm of
Castle Mains, were purchased from the Duke of
Buccleuch and Queensberry by the late Marquis of
Bute — John Patrick Crichton Stuart, third marquis.
His Lordship, soon after his purchase of the home of
his ancestors, set about clearing away the earth and ex-
cavating the ruins. Old walls were pointed and re-
paired; the Wallace Tower and other parts rebuilt;
and the whole ruins put into such a condition as to
preserve them for many a year to come.

The following lines were suggested on seeing the work-
men engaged on the ruins. They were inserted in the
columns of the Dumfries Courier and Herald in April,
1896, and the writer was much gratified, a few days
after the verses appeared in print, at receiving a letter
from the Marquis complimenting him on their appear-
ance : —

When o'er Crichton Peel hung the signal of war,
The clansmeD aU gathered from near and afar ;
Through Upper Nithfldale was heard the wild slogan.
And war-pipes resounded in Crawick and Euchan ;
Proudly the warriors were marshalled in line —
Their war cry was ** Crichton !" in the days o* lang syne.

Aye foremost in battle, where the contest was keen.
The standard of Crichton in the front rank was seen ;
At Chevy Chase, Flodden, and Solway's rough shore
Their watchword was heard 'mid the battle's loud roar ;
On the field of Langside they in valour did shine
When they fought for their Queen in the days o' lang syne.

'Tis years since the Old Peel re-echoed the name
Of Crichton, whose lords and their deeds live in fame ;
But the old walls long sad are gladsome again.
Lord Sanquhar returns to his ancient domain ;

250

In him all that's noble and good doth oombme.
And we welcome oar chief for the days o' lang syne.

The home of thy fathers from ruin reclaim,
Restore the rent walls entwined by thy name
That of yore often echoed the minstreFs refrain,
When great ones assembled to swell the bright train —
Fair dames and brave knights of thy own noble line —
Where Royalty feted in the days o' lang syne.

Then, welcome, Lord Sanquhar ! Thy banner still wave.
Thy crest aye be borne on the brow of the brave ;
May "Grod send thee grace," and defend thee from foes,
And sweet peace surround thee while Nith's water flows.
Let the bard strike the harp in numbers sublime —
Sing welcome, Lord Sanquhar, for the days o' lang syne.

W. W.

APPOINTMENT OF CLERK TO SANQUHAR
PARISH CHURCH, 15th July, 1548.

Instrument narratiiig that a discreet man, Edward
Clerk, clerk of the Parish Church of Sanquhar, compeared
in presence of William Lord Crichton of Sanquhar and the
parishioners assembled on the Lord's Day, in time of High
Mass, and there freely resigned his office of clerkship in
their hands by delivery of the amphora and a^spersorium.
The parishioners present being Mt Edward Crichton, tutor
testamentary of James Crichton, son and heir apparent of
the late James Crichton of Carco; Alexander M'Math,
Laurance Crichton of the Maines, Thomas Phillap, Thomas
Hislap, Cuthbert Dalzell, William lilill, John Kirkpatrick,
Hugh Fischar, Finlay Russell, John Hair, Robert Cuke,
John Wilson, Thomas Fleming, George Flemyng, James
Memyng, John Whyte in Marchedyke, John Atkyn,
Thomas Atkyn, Iffe Daveson, John Crychton in Kellosyde,
John Hair in Burngranis, Bartholomew Glen, Gavill,

251

William Crychton, Thomas M*Camyg, Bowal Bannaiyne^
Robert Crychton, John Hislop, John Dicson, Adam March,
John Drisdaill, John Flemyng, David Gilcrist, Ninian
Huke, John Quhyte in Glenlary, George Crychton in Crew-
fell, Thomas Dicson in Drumbeanzean, John Willesoun,
smith, Thomas Willesoun his brother, Charles Carmychell,
William Donaldson, Ninian Creychton in Brandleys, Robert
Amulijane, Nichol Fleming, William Russell, merchant,
John Walles, John Boys, with many others : Which resig-
nation being so made, the said William Lord Creychton
and parishioners having been well and ripely advised,
unanimously elected Thomas Clerk, son of the said Edward,
whom failing, the said Edward himself, to the said office of
Clerk of the Church and Parish of Sanquhar ; and delivered
to them the said amphora of holy water, with the aapergori;
whereupon Sir John Toung, vicar of said church, admitted
the said Thomas so elected.

These things were done in the Choir of the aforesaid
church at 10 o'clock forenoon on the 15th July, 1548, the
witnesses being the said Sir John Young, vicar; John
Muir and John Menzies, chaplains; Finlay Barry and
John Robert Clerk, laymen. — (Extract from Sheriff Court
Records.)

WILSONS OF POLQUHIRTER AND JENKINS OF

NIVINSTON.

The Wilsons of Folquhirter were an ancient family
who held lands — first under the Dunbars of Cumnock,
then under the Crichtons. Folquhirter is in New Cum-
nock parish, Ayrshire, on the borders of Dumfriesshire.

James Wilson — 1654 — left two daughters, co-heiresses.
He had a nephew, James, who had a son, James, whose
son James married Nancy M'Cririck, daughter of John

252

M'Cririck of M'Cririck's Cairn. They had a son Homer
(died 1807), who married Lizzie Gemmel; and their son
James married Mary Mnrray, whose son William
Wilson married Mary Ann Hague, and had issue —
William Murray Wilson, M.D., who married Elizabeth
Kells, daughter of David Jenkins; Mary Ann Hague,
who married John Alexander Hudson of the 60th Royal
Rifles; Margaret Wilson; Elizabeth, married Thomas
Kipling, staff surgeon R.N. ; and Agnes Jane Wilson.
William Wilson died June 9, 1865. His sister Janet
married William Jenkins of Nivinston, parish of Kirk-
connel, and had issue: — James — Sir James Jenkins,
K.C.B., of Plymouth, for an account of whom see page
153; William; John; Murray; Andrew; David; and
one daughter, Mary.

WILSONS OF WANLOCKHEAD.

In Wanlockhead are to be found many Wilsons. These
trace their descent from Matthew Wilson of Allendale in
Northumberland, who in 1691 procured a nineteen years'
lease of lead mines at Wanlockhead. He wrought a
mine in the Dod Hill in a vein bearing the names of
Charles' vein and Straitstep, and which is also called
Margaret's vein, at a part of its course considerably
further south. A level cut by him in Straitstep vein,
quite through a flank of Dod Hill from Whitecleuch to
Wanlock, is, in the ancient plans and records and up
to the present time, known as Matthew Wilson's Level ;
and, as stated by the Rev. Thomas Montgomery in his
" Statistical Account," he was very successful in his dis-
coveries. Matthew Wilson himself, and several of his
descendants are buried in Sanquhar Kirkyard, which

253

previoufl to the construction of the grave-yard at
Meadowfoot in 1751, was the place of interment for
Wanlockhead. To this family belongs the author of
this volume.

BLACKADDIE.

In 1580, Feb. 3, there i? a charter to Margaret Crichton,
sister to Bobert, Lord Sanquhar, of the lands of Blackadge
lying in the Barony of Sanquhar.

In 1632, Feb. 14, there is a summons by J. Thompson
against Robert Crichton of Blackaddie on the one part,
and John Crichton of Crawf ordstone on the other part, as
to some money transactions.

1711, Dec, 26, there is a decree of adjudication by
Bobert Earl of Camwath from Hunter of Blackaddie
within the liberties of Sanquhar, viz.: — 39 acres, 2 roods,
and about 14 falls, for the payment of JB2945 Scots, regis-
tered Feb. 12, 1712; and Camwath's disposition of both
to Crichton of Gairland, Ap. 25, 1713.

1713, Oct. 19, Disposition by Mary, daughter of George
Kerr, sometime Chamberlain of Sanquhar, containing 4
dales of land of Blackadge.

In 1746, Blackaddie was disposed by Alexander Crichton
of Gairland to the Duke of Queensberry.

GRANT TO JAMES MoRERIK by KING JAMES VI.

The following is interesting as a form of grant under
the Privy Seal: —

"A letter made to James McRerik of Cairn, of the
gift of the escheat of all goods, moveable and immove-

254

able, debts, tacks, steadings, roums, possessions, insicht,
plenishing, acts, contracts, obligations, reversions,
sentences, decreits, assignations, teinds, gold, silver,
coined and uncoined, presently pertaining to or that
shall happen to pertain to the deceased Robert Crichton
of ByehiU, and now pertaining to Our Sovereign Lord
and at his gift and disposition, by reason of the escheat
through the said Robert being denounced rebel and put
to the horn at the instance of James McMath, son and
heir to the deceased John McMath of Castle Gilmour
for not fulfilling to the said James a contract and
appointment made betwixt him and the said deceased
John McMath, father to the said James, in all the heads,
articles and clauses thereof after the form and tenor of
the same.

" And also through his being denounced rebel and put
to the horn for not removing from the lands of Ryehill
conform to a decreit of Council against the said 'deceased
Robert thereupon, as in the letters of horning at length
is contained or for whatsoever other cause or occasion
bygone, whereby his escheat has fallen or may fall in
Our Sovereign Lord's hands, with power, &c. At Edin-
burgh the twentieth day of May, the year of God, 1606."
Per signatures of the Privy Council.

THE INVENTOR OF THE STEAM PROPELLER.

William McCririck of Lrvine was the real inventor of
the screw propeller, and had it working in a small boat
in Irvine Harbour. Unfortunately he died before his
invention could be fully carried out, and his partner got
it pushed forward till Government took it in hand. He
realised a large sum for the patent. The real inventor's

255

claim was eventually acknowledged. The model was
exhibited at the Naval and Marine Exhibition in Glas-
gow in 1881. A model of boat was shown^ with side
and stern screw propellers, invented as stated by
William McCririck in 1824, and experimented on by
him with Messrs Steadman and Maxwell Dick about
that time. This model was shown at the Royal Society,
Edinburgh, in 1829, and at the Eoyal Society, London,
1830. This William McCririck was a grandson of James,
son of Homer McCririck of McCririck 's Cairn, who died
in 1741. James McCririck married Marion Thompson,
daughter of Thompson of Glenim.

INDEX.

Page.
Abraham Crichton's Ghost - - - - 31

Act Against Witches 16

Alison, Doctor and His Wife Meg 93

Annie Laurie 208

Apparitions in Euchan - - - - 59
Apparitions near Sanquhar Manse 37

Appointment of Clerk to Sanquhar Church - 250

Arms of Sanquhar 247

Arran, Isle of 120

Auchensow 233, 243

Badajoz, Major Johnston at - - - - 144

Bale Hill 75

Ban, The Covenanter's ... - 123

Bank Wood 73

Bannatyne of Glenmaddy - - - - 246

Barker, Misses, of Sanquhar 244

Barr, Curious Phenomenon at - 63

Baxter of Todholes 220

Beckwith, Sir Sidney - - - - 146, 208

Beggars 149

Belted Stane, The 56

Ben and His Weddings - - 109

Black Dog, The 57

Black, Joseph, of Grievehill - - - - 77

Blackaddie - - - 18, 95, 142, 253

17

258 Index.

Page.

Blacklock'B Wraith 79

Borthwick, Isabel 199

Bottle Blower, The 61

Bramwell, Dorothea 239

Broadfoot, Alexander 44

Brown, Mrs James, Bamkin of Cr^gs - 210

Brownie at Ulzieside 63

Bryce's Loup 127

Burke and Hair 105

Bute, Marquis of - 183, 189, 249

Caibn, McCririck's . - - - 117, 123, 213

Cameron of Lochiel 211

Campbell of Wellwood - 221

Carco, Crichtons of 185

Carlyle of Torthorold 162

Carmichael, Miss, of Dovane - - - 118, 217
Carmichael of Meadowflat - 217

Carmichael of Spoth ..... 236, 243
Carnwath, Earls of - - - 203, 4, 5, 6

Castle Robert 227

Clelland, George 228

Clenrie 233

Castle, Sanquhar ... 2, 41, 128, 161, 248
Chamber, The Beggar's - - - - 152

Charteris of Amisfield 197

Church at Kirkconnel 248

Church of St. Nicholas, Newark - - 174, 181
Clerks, Appointment of Parish ... 250

Cluny 198

Cochrane of Waterside - - - - 221

Cog, Bannatyne of - - - - 167, 246

Cooper, Ledgie 55

Corsebank 227

Index. 259

Page.

Corseneuk 246

Corson of Dalwhat 224

Corson and Hair 124

Council House, Sanquhar - . - - 1

Covenanter's Ban 123

Covenanter Killed 54

Covenanter at Ulzieside - - - . 63

Crawfordjohn Curlers 20

Crawford, Earl 163

Crawford, Marion 219

Crawick Bridge, Murder at - - - 47

Crawick Mill Witches 16

Crichtons of Carco 186

Crichtons of Eliock 197

Crichtons of Gairland 191

Crichtons of Libry 195

Crichtons of Ryehill 173

Crichtons, Lords of Sanquhar - - - 161

Crichton, Ghost of Abraham - - - 31

Crichton, The Admirable - - - - 200

Crichton Hall 190

Crichton Royal Institute . - - - 190

Cringan, William 223

Cringan and the Cuddy .... 35

Cripple Beggars 151

Cunninghame of Folquharne - - - 219

Cunningham, Margaret - - - - 167

Cunningham, Wraith of Wm. - - - 81

Curling at Duneaton 21

Dalpeddab, Ghost at 69

Dalpeddar, McMaths of - - - 231

Dalyell, Willie, the Sanquhar Munchausen - 87

Dalziel, Christian 173

260 Index.

Page.

Dakiels of Eliock 202

Dargavel, Robert 5

Davidaon, John 287

Debtors' Prison 7

DeU'sCaiair - 52

Deil's Dungeon 63

Deil's Stane 56

Deil at Doddocrae 75

Deil at Mains Pool 45

Doctor Alison 93

Dog, The Black 57

Domock Witch 17

Dowgree, John 186

Douglas of Drumlanrig 162, 168, 204

Dovane burned 118, 217

Dream, A Remarkable - 121

Dreary Lady of the Linn - 51

Drumbringan 130

Dryfesands 119

Dumfries, First Earl of - - 178

Dumfries, Witches Burned at - 16

Dunegal of Strathwith 161

Edgabs 161

Eliock Bridge Murder 67

Eliock, Crichtons of 197

Eliock, Dalziel of 202

Eliock, Lord 207

EUock, Veitch of 206

Euchan, Apparitions in 59

Euchan, Daring Leap Across - . . 127

Evil Spirits at the Warld's En' - - - 97
Execution of Robert, Lord Sanquhar - 43, 170

Index. 261

Page.

Faibies of Folveoch 76

Fairy Knowe 99

Farmer, Mary 169

Ferguson of Craigdarroch - - - - 208

Ferguson, Isabella 239

Fiddler Kerr 11

Fire, Willie Dalyell at a - - - 89

Flag of Sanquhar Trades - - - . 247

Fleming, Elizabeth - - - 165, 235

Franck's Memoirs 2

French Prisoners 146

Friars* Carse 190

Frost, Extraordinary ----- 90

Fullerton, John 239

Funeral of Piper's Wife - 12

Funerals, Refreshments at - 94

Gaberlunzies 150

Gairland, Crichtons of 191

Gallant son of Nithsdale - - - 141

Gallows Knowe 10, 43

Garglen 191

Ghost House 47

Ghosts at Crichton Peel - 41

Ghost at Littlemark ----- 65

Ghost of Lady Hebron . . . . gg

Glenglass 220, 246

Glenmaddy ---... 246

Glenwharry, Hairs of - - - 235

Gourlay, Murder of Andrew ... 66

Grahams of Littlemark - - - - 65

Grant to James McRerik - 263

Guffockland 243

262 Index.

Page.

Haib, Dr Archibald 239

Hair and Corson 124, 236

Hair, David of Orchard - - - - 237
Hairs of Glenwharry and Sanquhar - - 235

Hair, Laird 21, 239

Hair, Rachel 238

Hamilton, Mrs 37

Hare, The Big 27

Hastie, Peter 79

Haunted Linn, The 52

Herries of Terregles 162

Heuk, Janet 192

Hislop, Mrs 37

Hislop, Pat 99

Hospitality in Nithsdale - - - - 149

Howat, George 106

Hunter, Rev. Mr, of Penpont - - - 34

Ingram, George of Warid's En' - - - - 97
Invention of Steam Propeller - - - 254

James VI. at Sanquhar . - - '- 128, 175

Jameson, William 193

Jenkins, Sir James - - - 153, 222, 251
Jenkins of Nivinston - - - - 153, 251
Johnston, Major William - - - 141
Johnston, Provost - . . . - 142
Jougs, The 3, 17

Kennedy of Knocknalling 190

Kerr, James, Fiddler - - - - - 11

Kirkbride 31

Kirkconnel - - 73, 124, 235, 238, 248
Kirkcudbright Witch 17

Index. 263

Page.

*» Kirkpatrick of Closeburn - - 42, 227, 236

Kirsty M'Lean's Escape .... 4

Knockenhair, M'Math of - - - 220, 232

Kyles of Corseneuk 246

Ladt Hebron's Ghost 69

Lady in White, The 44

Lagminnan's Wake 83

Laurie, Bonnie Annie 208

Leadhills Band 25

Ledgie Cooper 55

Libry, Crichton of 195

Linn, Dreary Lady of the - - - 51

Littlemark Ghost 65

Loughnan, Zepherina 208

Loup, Bryce's 127

Lugton, Crichton of - - - - 169, 175

Mains, South, Auld Nick at - - - - 44

Man in Black, The 54

Manse of Sanquhar - - - - 18, 95

Manse Ghost, The 37

March, Lord .--.-. 239

Marches, Riding the 247

Mary Queen of Scots - - ~ 128, 168, 198

Maxwell of Portrack 218

McBriar, Agnes 181

McCaU of Caitloch 244

McCall of Eastside 74

McCall of Guffockland ... - - 243

McCall, Meg 93

McCriricks of McCririck's Cairn 213

McCririck, Bryce 127, 223

McCririck, Homer - - 253, 121, 123, 220

264 Index.

Page.

McCririck, James - 120, 124, 174, 218

McCririck, Inventor of Steam Propeller 264

McCririck, Patrick - 117, 198, 218

McCririck, William 81

McDowall of Garthland - - - 228

McMaths of Dalpeddar 187, 231

McMath of Knockenhair - 220, 232

McMichael, David 229

McMichael of GavelB 22

Meal Merchant Outwitted - - 133

Moffat Well 88

Muirkirk 83

Murder of Andrew Gourlay - - - 67

Murder at Crawick Bridge - - - - 47

Murder of William, Lord Sanquhar - 166

Murder at Sanquhar Castle - - - - 43

Murray of Cockpool - 164, 165, 173

Murray, Sir Robert 182

Murray, Earl of 201

McKenrick, Margaret 224

Nannie, a Crawick Witch - - - - - 19

Nivinston, Jenkins of - - - 153, 251

Nivison, Robert, a Sanquhar Benefactor - 242

Oliver, David 38

Orchard Burn Stories 51

Orchard, Hairs of 237

Orchard Monastery 185

Orr, Schoolmaster 38

Osman 27

Park, Provost Robert 193

Pew, Abraham Crichton's .... 189

Pipers of Sanquhar 9

Index. 265

Page.

Polqnhirter, WilsoiiB of . . . . 251

Polveoch Fairies 74

Port Well Brae 46

Privy Seal Grant, Form of - - 253

Propeller, Inventor of Steam 254

Punishment of Female Offenders > - - 4

QuEBN Mary 128, 168, 198

Queensberry 188, 191, 192, 209, 228, 232, 245, 249

Rae, Rev. Peter 16, 192

Rait, Colonel 209

Ramsay, Allan 224

Ranken of Ardgrene 222

Rebellion, the 15th 192

Repair of Crichton Peel - - 249

Resurrectionist Scare 103

Richmond, Duke of 239

Riding Sanquhar Marches . . - • 247

Robinson, Ben 109

Roddings Strand 32

Rose Cottage 97

Ross of Ryehill 161

Roundstonefoot, Johnstons of - - 141

Ryehill, Crichtons of 173

Sale of Sanquhar Barony 178

Salmon, Willie Dalyell and the - 91

St. Nicholas Church - 174, 181, 233

Sanquhar Burgh Arms .... 247
Sanquhar Castle - - - 2, 41, 128, 161, 248

Sanquhar Council House . - . . 1

Sanquhar, Lords of 161

Sanquhar, Riding of Marches 247

366 Index.

Page.

Sanquhar Pipen 9

Scott, Ninian 188

Semple, Lord 166

Seton of Touch 174

Seton of Oargunnoch - - - 177, 119, 89

Shooting Extraordinary - - - - 89

Shower of Bonnets 63

Simson, Tarn 99

Site of Kirkconnel Church - - - 248

Skipper and the Plaister - - - - 106

Smith, Mrs Henry 210

Smugglers 57

Sweethit Farmer and the Beggar - - - 151

Spango or Spank 245

Spoth 236, 243

Stewart, Lady Mary - - - - 163, 185
Stewart, Elizabeth - - - 199, 236, 243
Stitt, Robert of Crawickmill - - - 18

Stitt, Beadle of Durisdeer . - - - 7

Taksey Well 24

Thief's Hole 3

Thomson, Rev. Andrew - - - - 95

Tolbooth of Sanquhar 1

Tombstone, a Curious 238

Town Pipers 9

Turner, Fencing Master Murdered - 43, 170

Ulzibside 24, 63, 153

Vagrants 149

Vbitch of Eliock 206

Veitch, Rev. W. D. - - - 146, 209
Veitch, Sophia F. F. 210

Index. 267

Page.

Wake at Lagminnan 83

Wallace's Tower 43, 249

Wanlockhead Wilsons _ . . _ 252

Warld's En' 97

Waterston, Geilles - - - - - 236

Weir, John - 233

Weird Stories of Bank Wood - - - 73

Welcome to Lord Sanquhar - - - - 248

Wellington, Duke of. Wounded - - - 240

Whigham, Provost Robert - - - - 133

White Lady 44

Williamson, Alexander, Covenanter - - 229

Williamsons of Castle Robert - - - 227

Wilson of Gairland - - - - 191, 236

Wilson, John, Murder of - - - - 42

Wilson, Matthew of Wanlockhead - - 262

Wilsons of Polquhirter - - - - 251

Wilsons of Spango _ - . - - 245

Witches of Crawickmill - - - - 15

Wraiths 77

Wright, Henry 6

WylUe of Sorn 221

Young, Sir John, Vicar of Sanquhar - - - 251

PRICE 6d.
All about Bums and Sanquhar.

Interesting book by a son of the author of " Folk Lore and Genealogies

of Uppermost Nithsdale."

Burns and Black Joan,

BY

TOM WILSON.

With niustratione ftom Photoerraphs.

" Black Joan frae Crtchton Peel,
A carlin' stoor and grim."

Published by Robert G. Mann, the Courier and Herald Press,
Dumfries. Sanquhar : J. M. Laing. Price 6d.

An acceptable Gift for Sanquhar men €U home and abroad.

EXTRACTS PROM PRESS NOTICES.

Mr Wilson writes in a most interesting fashion of the poet's connection with the
burgh, and the pages of the book are heightened by sevcnral Barns stories that are
new to us. The illustrations accompanying the letterpress are very beautiful, and
the whole has been most admirably produced by the Courier and Herald Press
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pleasure in seeking information about the chequered life of our national bard. The
author writes in a scholarly way, and with a directness which makes us think thau he
is no novice in pencraft.— OiMnnocle ChroniDle,

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the little book will receive from them a hearty welcome.— JECtZmantoefc Standard.

It ought to have a large circulation.— ^IrdroMon and Saltcoats Herald.

A most readable little book and excellently illustrated.— Xiitonarv World.

Will prove of interest to all Burnsites.— Glosgfou; Evening News,

Mr Wilson writes with a free, easy pen, the i>en of one entirely at home with his
subject and with the district in which the associations occurred. In brief compass
the life of Bums may be traced during theperiod in which he acted as an exciseman
and while he held the farm of Ellisland. To natives of Sanquhar the book must he of
peculiar interest ; to lovers of Burns everywhere it can scarcely be less attractive. —
ZHindee Courier,

The author has ferreted out man^ interesting, instructive, and amusing incidents*
which he narrates with ability and with the enthusiasm of an ardent admirer of the
ploughman po^t.— Wigtownshire Free Press.

The little work is embellished with twelve illustrations of persons and scenes
connected with the stately old burgh town, the story of which in its connection with
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All who are interested in ana of the Scotch poet will be glad to see this book«
Wt.— Christian World.

Mr Wilson brings together all the references to Sanquhar, direct or remote*
which occur in the poems or letters of the bard, and presents some interesting;
information regarding some of his contemporaries in the old burgh and places associ-
ated with his visits.— Dttfii^rtM Stcmdard.

wow READY.

ISSUE LIMITED, Demy 8vo., wUh Numerous IllustraHans,

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New Work of Absorbing Interest

ON

THE BUCHAMTES

Who were they?

What were they?

"If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an
improbable fiction."— TtM^t/i Night, Act iii., Scene 4.

Mamy people in the South-West of Scotland have heard of the
BUCriANITES as a tradition -a legend— almost a myth— with no
better foundation in fact than the ancient folk-lore of the country.

They may be surprised to learn that the story told in this Book Is
as well authenticated as the best-known facts in history. Yet it
reads like a fairy tale. Alice might have seen it all in Wonderland.
As a story of the most topsy-turvy credulity, it beats all the records
of human folly. As such, it is almost sublime. It certainly becomes
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Everyone interested in the aberrations of religious fanaticism
ought to read this Book. It specially appeals to all connected with
the South-western parte of Scotland, where the extraordinary scenes
descaribed commenced a hundred and twenty years ago. Beginning
in the Boyal Burgh of Irvine, they carry us into Nithsdale, thence
into Galloway, with ever-increasing wonder, and end with an
example of steadfast loyalty to a long dead Ideal which cannot fail to
stir the question— What delusion is human nature not capable of ?

This Book, which is sure to prove specially attractive to Qalloway
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popular Member for the Btewartry of Kirkcudbright.

As the Issue is Limited, Orders should be sent in at once

to the Publisher.

ROBERT G. MANN,

Courier and Herald Offices, Dumfries.

MOW READY,

THE BEST BOOK FOB THE WINTER HRESIDL

Popular Edition, Crown 8¥o Si-
Edition do Luxe, with many quaint illuitrationa tO/

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eiOHTV VBARS AQO:

BT

DR R, DE BRUCE TROTTER (Saxon),

WITH INTRODUCTION BT

S. R. CROCKETT, Author of " The Raiders," 4c

This Work is a Collection of Traditions, Anecdotes, Witti-
cisms, Folk-Lore, and Fireside Tales, relating to the
South of Scotland, and is embellished with Grotesque
Headings and Initials, designed and engraved expressly
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"Dr Trotter's volmnes are much more than collections of
merrv country-side tales conceived with a certain nianfnlness of
mooa. In them more than in any other local books I know, may
be found the very, spirit and flavour of old Galloway, and of the
days when a spaae was not called an ai^cnltural instrument." —
S. R. Crockett.

" He may now take his place beside Dean Ramsay as a com-
piler of real genuine Scottish humour." — Perthshire Advertiser.

Published by ROBERT G. MANN, The Courier mid

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And can he obtained through awy Bookseller.

An acceptable present for Scotsmen at home

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